The truth exalted in the writings of that eminent and faithful servant of Christ, John Burnyeat collected into this ensuing volume as a memorial to his faithful labours in and for the truth.

SEVERAL EPISTLES WRITTEN By J. B. to Friends from divers Places.

Dear Friends,

IN the dear and tender Bowels of Love and Life do I dearly salute you all, who are faithful to the Lord, with∣out respect of Persons, in whose Life and Love I feel you, and enjoy you, wherein my Heart is opened towards you, my dearly beloved ones, with whom I am daily refreshed and comforted in Christ Jesus the Fountain and Well-spring of Life and living Refreshment; who is our Rock and daily Refuge, unto whom we fly and are safe in the day of storms and tempest, when the floods arise, and the raging Waves of the Sea do swell and beat; yet in the Light have we a safe hiding-place, and a sure and peaceable Habitation, against which they cannot prevail: As faithful to the Lord we a∣bide therein, whose Love towards us hath abounded, and will abound, as we abide in that, unto which his Love doth reach, which is his own Seed; which he hath raised in us by his own Power and outstretched Arm: wherein the Issues of Live and Love are known and received. Therefore, my dear Friends, keep to it, and feel it continually; that fresh,

and lively, and open-hearted, ye may always be in the Life, that nothing may enter, that would vail the Seed, and op∣press it; for that will stop the Issue of the Love of God, which is shed abroad, and shedding it self abroad in the Hearts of all the Faithful, whereof we in the bountifulness of his Love have richly been made partakers of. Therefore as one who with you have been partaker of the rich and endless Love of God, I do exhort you, my dearly beloved ones, to continue in his Love, and all to abide faithful in the Life, that Death again may not pass over any one; but that the Life, which God hath raised, may be felt, and that may rule over him, that hath the Power of Death in every one of us, to his own Praise and Glory, who hath redeemed us, wherein the comfort, strength and refreshment is re∣received daily from him, who is the Life and Strength of all that wait upon him, and who is near to preserve all them that are upright in their Love towards him. And herein have we boldness, believing, that neither Tribulation, nor Affliction, Persecution, nor Distress shall be able to separate us from the Love of God, which we enjoy in Christ Iesus, al∣though he may suffer great things to come upon us (as it is at this day) to try us; nor yet to separate us one from another, nor to break our Unity in the Spirit, wherein we feel and enjoy one another. In which, my dear Friends, I feel you, and have you often in my remembrance, to my great Joy and Gladness of heart: for ye in the Lord are my Ioy and Rejoycing many times, when all other Com∣forts are taken from me; but only that, in which I feel and enjoy you, wherein our Unity, Life and Love doth stand, wherein I remain

Your Brother in my measure received, J. Burnyeat.

Postscript.

Dear Friends,

I Wrote a Letter in the Eleventh Month, before I went out of these Parts, and sent with one, who did intend to pass through Cumberland; but I hear, it was left in York∣shire: which did something trouble me, because that I did not obtain an Opportunity to send again so soon, as I could have desired, in regard we travelled into the West towards Gallo∣way and Cork: But at Dublin, when I was there I wrote a Letter, which I partly believe, may be come to you. So being in haste, I cannot give you an account, as I would de∣sire; only Times are very troublesome, in regard of the Distractions of the People in this Nation. We were taken Prisoners, after we came from Dublin, at Ardmagh, and kept three days: It is very hard to Travel in this Nation for us; but for the Seed's sake we are freely given up into the Will of God.

Clanbrasel, in the County of Ardmagh in Ireland, the fourth day of the fourth Month, 1660.

Dear and well-beloved Friends in Cumberland,

BRethren and Sisters in the holy Covenant of Life, with you is my life bound up in the unspeakable Bond of perfect Unity, and unfeigned Love, wherein I feelingly reach unto you in this day of weighty Trial, wherein every ones Faith and Patience must come to be tried, and every ones Foundation made manifest whereon he stands; blessed are they, whose Foundation and standing is in the Power of Christ Je∣sus, the Rock of Ages, and Foundation of many Generations, such shall stand immoveable on the Rock in the day of Tem∣pest, and shall be at Peace, and kept in Safety in the Power, in the hour of Temptation, and time of trial. Therefore, my dear Friends, as if I were present with you, my Bowels

are opened towards you, and my Life reacheth unto you, in pure love, even desiring that every one of you may truly feel and abide in the feeling of the pretious Life and pure invisible Power of the blessed God, which he hath made manifest in your Hearts, whereby every mind of them, that hath been faithful to the Lord, is changed and renewed, and redeemed, and made pure and sweet through the vertue and goodness of the same, whereby our Souls continually are refreshed, as we abide in the sensible seeling of the Lord's Presence. O! therefore, my dear Friends, ye who have tasted of the Lord's goodness, and have been nourished by his mercies inwardly, who have felt the weight of his love, and the value of his truth in your inward parts, Mind that as your chiefest treasure; my dear Friends, that the sweet Consolation, and the pretious Spring of the Father's love ye may feel opened in your Hearts from day unto day, and from time to time. For truly Friends, large is the Lord's goodness, and exceeding pretious is the Fountain of endless mercies, which he hath opened in this day, for the refresh∣ing of his own dear Children, whose whole trust and con∣fidence is in him alone: Therefore let none again incline in their minds after the things in this Creation, or desire further to enjoy it, or any thing in it, then you may enjoy them in the Covenant of God. This, my dear Friends, is truly in my Heart from the Lord to lay it before you, and to warn you of in his Name and Fear, I say, Friends, that ye, who have tasted of the Lord's goodness in any measure, and have felt the working of his heavenly Power, to the re∣deeming of your minds out of all visible things, and to give you an entrance into the Inheritance, that never fades a∣way; That ye may not look back again into the Glory of the things of this Creation now in this day of Trial of your Faith, but that all may be offered freely into the Will of the Lord; that whatsoever you enjoy, it may be in his

Covenant: that his blessing may richly be felt in your in∣ward parts, and his peace sweetly enjoyed in your Hearts. Or else truly, otherwise, if any seek in the declining mind to hold any thing out of his Covenant and pure fear, the blessing will not be upon that heart, but it will be unto them, as the spoil, which the Children of Israel fell up∣on contrary to the Word of the Lord; and like unto Achan's wedge of Gold, which became a Curse in the Camp of Is∣rael. Therefore let all with their all be freely offered up unto the Lord in Righteousness, with an upright heart, which is but a Service reasonable in this day from us, who have so largely been made partakers of the richness of his Loving∣kindness and Mercies, that so every heart may stand open, purely waiting for the heavenly vertue, and for the renew∣ing of the heavenly gift, that every one may be strengthen∣ed by the same in the inward man; that so we may all to∣gether with one heart truly rejoyce in the Salvation, and Consolation of the Lord our God, which we feel and en∣joy in Spirit. And furthermore, my dear Friends, that you all, who feel your hearts and all freely given up unto the Lord, both you and yours into his Will, Mind the Power which hath made you willing, and dwell and abide in the sensible feeling of that continually; that so every mind may be kept low and humble before the Lord, sensible of the Rock of their Salvation, and of the Arm of their strength and preservation; that so all fleshly boasting and glorying may for ever be excluded out of the Salvation, Preservation and Keeping of all the Redeemed of the Lord; that he alone, who is the Salvation of his People, and the Keeper of Is∣rael, may have the Honour and Glory, and the Praise, from the Work of his own Hands, who is God over all, blessed for ever and ever, whose Works will for ever praise him in all his Children.

From me your Brother, who is now Prisoner in the Dungeon in Rippon Common-Goal, where I am se∣parated from having Liberty to be amongst the rest of my Fellow-Prisoners, only because the Lord opened my Mouth among them in our Meeting, when we were together waiting upon the Lord. Iohn Burnyeat.

Written the fourth day of the sixth Month, 1662.

Barbadoes, the third day of the first Month, 1665.

Dearly Beloved,

UNto whom the pure love of my heart in the Covenant of Life doth plentiously flow forth at this time, my Soul dearly Salutes you all, who are faithful unto the Lord, without respect of Persons, whose Minds are kept faithful unto the unchangeable Power of Life and Vertue, wherein your Souls have been refreshed, and by which you have been gathered into the belief of the Truth, and to the Ac∣knowledgment of the same; which in a good degree hath been made manifest in and among you. My Exhortation as a Brother in the Bowels of Love unfeigned unto you, whom my Soul dearly loves, is, That as the Lord hath ap∣peared, and made manifest his Power in your Hearts, even so wait ye, that your dwelling ye may come to witness to be in the same. For Friends, ye know, that it is not suffi∣cient, only to know, that he hath Appeared; but that ye feel your Dwelling to be in the Power, and so in the daily sense of the renewing of his appearing in your Hearts: that by it your Hearts may be kept open unto him, and so you from day to day may know the renewing of his Presence, and the Vertue of his own Life in you. O! my dear

Friends, this is that by which every heart may be kept sweet and living, and vertuous, and open unto the Lord so that the Issues of his Love will become as a Refreshing River unto every Soul, that keeps faithful unto him.

Therefore Friends, all mind your standing and your dwelling in the Power, and wait for the Inward Operation of it in your Hearts, that by its dwelling in you, and living in you, your Hearts may be kept tender, and contrite and broken before the Lord. And Friands, beware of hardness of heart, I warn you in God's Fear, for therein the deceit∣ful Worker gets advantage, and Unbelief comes to enter; and so such will come short of the Rest, that God hath pre∣pared for his People, who through the deceitfulness of sin come to be hardned. And so Friends, least this should come upon any one of you, and so ye fall short of the Rest, Watch in the Fear of God, and keep down to the tender Principle of Life every one of you in your own particulars, by which your hearts may be kept out of the hardness in the tender- and brokenness of heart, in which state the Lord is witnessed to dwell with man and in man, according to his promise. And so will you know the growing of the holy Seed in you, into the pure Dominion, by which that which would darken or harden, will be subjected, and kept in the subjection; and so your Souls kept in the freedom of the Seed in God's Cove∣nant, where life and peace is witnessed: and so Heirs of the Promise, and of the Blessing, being come into the promised Seed, Children of the Promise, and so of Abraham through Faith, unto whom the Promise was made, and so blessed with him, who is the Father of all the Faithful, through which we come to be Heirs of the Kingdom, and so in it (according to the promise) come to sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Iacob, in this day of the Gathering of the Gentiles, and bringing home of the lost Sheep of the House of Israel.

Therefore Friends, mind your standing in the Seed Christ

the true Vine, that you may have life abundantly, and know its abounding in you. For whosoever goes from him, the Life, the Seed, the Vine Christ Iesus, the Power of God, shall wither, and decay, and die, and in the end be fit for nothing but the fire. And that shall such know, who in the day of the Lord's Gathering, and tender Visiting in Mercy and Loving∣kindness, will not be won and gained into Faithfulness; but slight the Day of their Visitation.

Therefore, my dear Friends, be faithful unto the Lord e∣very particular of you, in that which you have receiv'd from him, and wait to be guided by that in your own hearts. And keep low and down to the Principle of Life in your own hearts, that you may never become stiff-necked, nor hardned in your hearts again. For this was Israel's Sin of old; whose hearts were hardned, and whose neck was become like an Iron sinew, that it could not bend unto God's Toke. For which he was wroth with his People, and cast off his Inheritance in that day; so that their Enemies had power over them, and laid their Dwellings desolate. Those things are left unto us for an Example, that we might not fall after the same manner of Unbelief, but fear; lest a Promise being left us of entring into his Rest, we should fall short through Unbelief, and so loose the Inheritance, and so by the Enemy have our Habitations luid desolate, and so be carried Captives out of our Dwelling-place. These things, my Friends and Brethren, I lay before you in the fear and love of God, which is weigty in my heart to∣wards you all, and so desire, that the Lord may preserve you all faithful unto himself, in the feeling of his life and good presence, by which your hearts may be kept open unto him, and so open in true Love one towards another, that as a Fa∣mily in the love of God you may dwell together: In which love my Soul dearly Salutes you all, and so in it remain

To my dear Friends in the North of Ireland about Kil∣more, Lurgan and that way.

Your Brother and Companion in the Tribulation and Pati∣ence of Christ Jesus, I. B.

Bristol, the 25th day of the 11th Month, 1667.

Dearly Beloved,

WIth whom in the Covenant of Life, Light and Peace I am one, wherein I am with you, and in Spirit do reach unto you in that love, which many waters cannot quench; in which my Soul at this time doth very dearly sa∣lute you all, ye Children of the Covenant, which have been born again of the Word Immortal, and in the life of the true Seed remain; unto you all, without respect of Persons doth the love of my Soul reach, with the Salutation of my life in the power that is endless: In which my desire is, that the Lord may preserve you all, that as living Plants in the Vineyard of God you may flourish, and bring forth righteous Fruits, and so be a honour unto the Lord in your generation, and then you need not doubt, but the Lord will honour you in the glory of his Kingdom, that is without end. And therefore Friends, the life of Righteousness in the power, that is without end, do you all mind to live in; that fruits of holiness in a godly conversation may be brought forth by you all; by which the Gospel of Peace and Salvation comes te be adorn∣ed: and so the effects of Righteousness you will all come to know, which is peace and assurance for ever. Which is that you ought all to be mindful of, that the evidence of peace, by the testimony of the living Spirit in all your hearts, ye may feel renewed daily; which will not be without an abi∣ding and living in the life of Righteousness, whatsoever No∣tion of Profession may be held in the wrong mind, and not in the power and life of Righteousness. For this Testimony is true and living, searching narrowly under all Coverings, and breaking through all Vails, entring into the inner Court, and breaking through into the Secret Chambers to see, what may have a being there, or be worshipped. So that in vain it is

to cover any thing in this day, wherein the searcher of all hearts hath appeared; and he is come, whose Fan is in his hand, who sits as Resiners fire and as Fullers sope, to cleanse and to purifie his chosen Tribe, that they may be a peculiar People, a chosen Generation, and a Royal Priesthood, to shew forth the Praises of him, who hath called out of darkness in∣to his marvellous light. And therefore, My dear Friends, with open hearts and nakedness of Spirit do you all walk be∣fore the Lord, not seeking any Covering, but that of the Spirit in the life of Righteousness, that its Testimony and wit∣ness you may all have in your hearts to bear witness with you unto Justification; that so ye may be cloathed with the white Robe of Righteousness in the power of the Lamb, and so become Kings and Priests unto God, reigning over that in the power of the Lamb's Spirit, which can never offer a Sacrifice acceptable, before which the hearkening and obe∣dience hath acceptance: and so will the life of the true Priest be known to spring in you, in which you are accepted, and so in the life of him that is a Priest for ever after the Order of Melchisedeck (according to the word of the promise and of the oath) you will be a Royal Priest-hood, offering up an acceptable Sacrifice unto the Lord. And so my dearly belo∣ved (unto whom my heart in pure love is opened) keep your habitations in the Life of the Son, in the Life of the Priest, that lives for ever, that you may never be rejected; in him is the Father well pleased, in him are all our Offerings accepted, and without him ye can do nothing: All Coverings and Robes without him are but as filthy Rags, and all Garments with∣out his power and life of righteousness are no better, than a Menstruous Cloath, and abomination in the sight of the Lord.

And therefore keep your Garments clean, your hearts pure before the Lord, that the acceptance you may never lose: and mind the living of the power in your hearts, and your living in it unto God the Father, that as we have been

quickened together in the Resurrection of the Life, even so in the same we may worship the Father for evermore. And so in this, Friends, doth my heart's love reach unto you all, in which my Soul doth once more very dearly salute you all, ye Children of the Covenant and of the blessed day of God Almighty, who walk in the Light, my heart is ravished with pure love in the Remembrance of you: O ye dearly beloved of my Soul, I have not forgotten you, neither have I been un∣mindful of you, though outwardly we have been separated; but the antient love hath lived in my heart, yea, and doth live towards you all, which draws forth strong desires in me unto the Lord, that in his Will I might see your faces; which I hope, will be answered in his time: and until then I am freely given up into his Will to stand out of time, being sa∣tisfied with the invisible union and fellowship in the Spirit, that I have with you, which time nor distance of places can never wear out, because that life and power, which is eter∣nal, is known; and that love which changes not, is injoy∣ed, in which I am one with you, and remain

Your Brother in the Covenant, where Sin is blot∣ted out, and Everlasting Righteousness is brought forth, in which we worship the Father acceptably, I. Burnyeat.

Barbadoes, the 30th of the 11th Month, 1670.

Dear Friends,

I Have had a great Exercise upon my Spirit concerning this late Observation of a Day, or Fast, which was set forth and pretended unto; and seeing the pride and vanity, that people was in, not like true Mourners and Fasters, and such as would have the Iudgment removed; and also seeing the bitter Cruelty, that appeared as a part of the fruits of it; and furthermore, seeing the difference, that did seem to ap∣pear in Friends minds, about the owning or not owning of it, by submitting unto their Requirings, or doing to the con∣trary, as a testimony against it; after I had passed under a

deep Exercise in Spirit for some time, at last the Lord God by his Eternal Word raised up my Spirit in the zeal thereof, and did smite against all such Mockeries: and then in a hea∣venly Revelation (my Understanding being opened, and closing with the Word) he shewed unto me, that it was to be Witnessed against by all, that stood in the Testimony of God, and that those, that would weaken the Spirits of any in their Testimony in this or other things, wherein Friends have a Te∣stimony for God, it was plainly shewed me from the Lord, how they would draw a vail over the pure in themselves, and in others, and in a cowardly, underly Spirit, by the cor∣rupted, sallen wisdom, would put the Candle, that God hath lighted, under a Bushel, or under a Bed, and so cover it for a while, until at last it would be put out: so that we, like other Professors, at last by this Spirit would be led to yield to any thing, rather than suffer; and so then the offence of the Cross might cease. And then also there was another thing, which had been very long under my consideration, of which, I was not hasty to judge or meddle, wherein Friends have somewhat differed; but at this time was not minded by me, because of the other, that was upon me. But when the Lord had cleared the other to me, he brought up this also before my mind, which is about Sending Men, Horse and Arms to the Training, Trooping or Playing, which is folly as to us; for which many, that could not send, have suffered the spoiling of their Goods. And the Lord then plainly satisfied me, that it was his Testimony, wherein Friends were to stand, and that they that bore another Testimony either in words or action, it was from that Spirit, and in that Wisdom, that would put a bushel over the lighted Candle, and by degrees would put it out, and would lead us to crouch to the Spirit of the World, until its large wing of Darkness would over-shadow us, and become our Covering; and then we should be like others, that have lost their Testimony. And then when the Lord had

thus done, oh! how my Soul was filled with heavenly, di∣vine love towards all the willing Sufferers for the Lord's Te∣stimony! So that I can say, it was with me, as it was with Deborah, when she said, her heart was towards the Gover∣nours of Israel, who offered themselves willingly among the peo∣ple; and then I could not but praise the Lord. And so this is the Testimony, that the Lord did put into my heart, which I am moved of him to give forth, for the comfort and sa∣tisfaction of all, that desire to serve the Lord in their Gene∣ration, and to keep their Consciences pure, and their Gar∣ments unspotted. And therefore Friends, keep in the first, for he is the last, and shall stand, when all others shall fail. And reason not with flesh and blood, but wait for the power, that it may open you; and as you are kept open thereby, the wonderful things of God in it will be made known un∣to you, and the depths of Satan will be seen also; and there will be a growing in righteousness. For in the power is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith by which the just lives; which cannot be witnessed, where the Testimony is let fall, and the Light covered, and the Talent laid in the earth; though it may be tied in a white Napkin of fair Profession. For the Gift or Talent is neither to be hid in the Earth, nor bound by any in any thing, but to have its liberty, until by its own power all be subjected unto it self, that God may be all in us all. This is the Testimony, that I am to leave with you in these matters; and so being eased in Spirit, in the lasting love of God I remain

Your Brother, Iohn Burnyeat.

Salem in New-England, the 30th of the 4th Month, 1671.

Dear and Well-beloved,

YOU whom the Lord hath called to believe, and to be partakers of his Divine Nature, and of his mani∣fold Mercies, that through the strength thereof you might bear witness to his Name, and testifie to his Truth in your Day, for which the God of Wisdom suffers you to be tried, and your faith to be proved, as it hath been his way in all A∣ges for the proof of his people, that their hearts might be tried, and their Love appear, how weighty it is to him, that hath loved them: whereby the Glory of the Truth, and the Excellency of it might be made manifest.

And now my Friends, this is your day and hour of your Trial, wherein the Lord by you (I believe) shall be honour'd, and you rewarded with that good Reward, which shall out∣ballance all the present Sufferings, unto which the Glory of the present World is not to be compared. And though from you it is my Lot to be separated, and so in the like kind not to suffer among you; yet I cannot say but that I suffer with you; for my Spirit is not without a feeling of your sufferings.

O! you dear Lambs of the Shepherd's fold, is it so, that the Wolf seeks to devour? and is the Lion and devouring Bear let loose, that would snatch up the Lambs? Fear not, though in his Mouth? We have a Shepherd, that will de∣liver, and like David, will save from the power of the De∣stroyer, so that your Life shall not come under his power: For God is on Israel's side to preserve, though they would swallow up quick. And therefore let your Trust be in the Arm of his strength for ever, and you shall know, that he is able to make up all to you again.

Dearly beloved, My very Heart and Soul salutes you all in the Reach of that Life, which by nothing that is visible,

can be stopped; and in the sense and enjoyment of that I am spiritually with you, wherein I may say, I do partake with you both of the Sufferings and Tribulations, and also of the Ioy and Consolation, that abounds in your Souls, as the Reward of your Obedience and Faithfulness unto the Lord, that hath called you thereunto, and raised you up for that purpose. And therefore let none look back, nor be dis∣mayed, for the Cause is the Lord's, and he will stand by you, and will plead your Cause with all that rise up against you, and will bring your Righteousness to light more and more, and shew who are his, and approved in his sight. And he will also discover and lay open the Cruelty of such, and ma∣nifest them, who outwardly would shew themselves to be Sheep, but are inwardly Ravenous, and so Ravening Wolves; and so labour to lay waste the Heritage of the Lord to spoil his Flock: They are such, who would not have the Lambs seed quietly in the green Pasture of the Lord's pleasure, nor to lie still in the Fold of true Rest.

But blessed be the Lord for ever and ever, he hath brought many to the Mountain of his Holiness, where they shall not hurt nor destroy; even as he hath promised. And therefore let all mind their dwelling there, and be not moved, and the Treasure will be known, and the Riches received, which all the Spoilers from Babylon, and Men of War from Egypt shall not rob you of: For it is from thence they all come to spoil Zion, and to rob her of her Glory. But the Lord is her defender, and her King is in the midst of her, and Salvati∣on is round about her for Walls and Bulwarks; Glory, and Honour, and Praises to the Lord our God for ever and ever! For he hath taken to himself his great power, and is going on Conquering and to Conquer: And will effect his own pur∣poses, and bring to pass his own Designs in despite of all his Adversaries; so that when they think to pull down, he is building up; and in that way which they think to destroy,

he will establish, and so repair the Streets of Zion in trou∣blesome times, and build up her Desolations, and repair her Breaches, as before hath been prophesied. And seeing it is certainly thus, let us all trust in him for ever; and wait up∣on him, that his power by us may be felt, and his Love and vertue may be fed upon, which nourisheth up the Soul to E∣ternal Life.

Dear Friends, the Aboundings of the Love of God which is in my Heart towards you all, I cannot but signifie unto you, amongst whom I have been a partaker of such pretious Mercy and rich Blessings, as we have enjoyed together, and as I am satisfied, still abounds in your Hearts from the God of our Mercies. And so Friends, this is a Testimony of my love unto you all; do you receive it in particular, as if I had writ unto you all, one by one: For this it is the Lord hath made one in his Son, and brought us into Unity; as we abide in him, there is no Separation, therefore cannot we be forgotten one by another.

Dear Friends, by this you may understand, that I am very well every way; and going on in the Service, into which I am called. The last day but yesterday I had a Meeting in Boston, but very few of the People came, they are still under the fear of them, who are like them, and of that Generation, unto whom Christ said, would neither en∣ter-in themselves, nor suffer others. However, we had a very comfortable and peaceable Meeting, and Truth is over them, and will bring them under, and confound their In∣ventions. From

Your Friend and Brother, Iohn Burnyeat.

To the Rulers, Ministers, and People of the Island of Barbadoes, who see and take notice in any measure of the Hand of the Lord that is upon them, and have desires in them to have his Iudgments removed.

FRIENDS,

IT is Sin that provokes the Lord, and causeth his Judg∣ments in his wrath, to come upon a Nation, a People, or a particular; and for that doth the Lord visit with his Rod, and many times smite with his sore Judg∣ments. And while that is lived in, the Lord will not hear, though man may cry, and make many Prayers, as you may see in the Scriptures of Truth. Read Isaiah the 1st, and see what the Lord said unto Israel, when they were revolted, and become a sinful Nation, a People laden with Iniquity: Tho they offered Sacrifices and burnt Offerings, and called Assemblies, and observed the new Moons and the appointed Feasts, the Pro∣phet called them, the Rulers of Sodom; and said, Hear the Word of the Lord ye Rulers of Sodom, give Ear unto the Law of our God, ye People of Gomorrah; to what purpose is the multitude of your Sacrifices, saith the Lord, &c. And further told them, That though they spread forth their Hands, he would hide his Eyes from them, and when they did make many Prayers, he would not hear; their Hands were full of Blood: And therefore commanded them to wash, make clean, and put away the Evil of their doings from before his Eyes, and cease to do evil, and learn to do well; seek Judgment, re∣lieve the Oppressed, judge the Fatherless, plead for the Widow, and then come and let us reason together, saith

the Lord. So here you may see, this is the way for Man to cease from doing Evil, and to learn to do well, whereby he may come into acquaintance with the Lord, and to have his Prayers to be heard, and his Requests to be answered, and so the Judgment to be removed. And also Daniel's Counsel to the King was, that he should break off his Sins by Righteousness, and his Iniquities by shewing Mercy to the poor, that it might be a lengthening to his Tranquillity, Dan. 4. 27. And all along in the Scriptures of truth, you may see, that Sin was the cause why the Lord was angry with any People, and why his Wrath came upon any Na∣tion; and that the Lord (though he spared long many times) would not be reconciled unto them, till they obeyed his call in turning from the Evil of their ways; and if they would not be turned, at last he brought his Judgments upon them to cut them off. As you may see concerning Israel many times, both in the Wilderness, where the unbelieving and disobedient were cut off and perished; and also, after they were come into the Land of Promise, how often be∣cause of their Sins, he brought his Judgments over them, and Destruction upon them, after that he had warned them, and by his Prophets called unto them, to leave their Wick∣edness, and to learn to do righteously, and to amend their ways and their doings: And because they would not hear, but continued in their Sin, the Lord brought his sore Judg∣ments upon them, and rejected them, and cut them off, and laid the Land desolate, notwithstanding the multitude of their Sacrifices, of their Prayers, and of their Observa∣tions. So that he that killed an Ox, was as if he slew a Man, and he that sacrificed a Lamb, as if he cut off a Dog's neck, and he that offered an Oblation, as if he offered Swines blood, and he that burned Incense, as if he blessed an Idol; and all this was, because they chose their own ways, and their Souls did delight in their Abominations, as you

may read, Isaiah 66. 3, 4. And therefore were all their Per∣formances rejected of the Lord, and he brought their fear upon them; because when he called, they would not an∣swer, when he spoke, they would not hear, but did Evil before his Eyes, and chose that in which he delighted not. So that all along you may see in the Scripture, that it was not that which People did do as upon the account of the Worship of God, that did at all please him, or appease his Wrath, while they did Evil before him, and chose that in which he delighted not; as is very evident from the Scrip∣tures of Truth, in divers Testimonies therein to this pur∣pose. Time would fail to mention all; and what was written afore-time, was written for our Learning, and that we should take warning by their Example, who sinned and continued therein till the day of Mercy was over, Rom. 15. 4. 1 Cor. 10. 11.

And therefore since the Lord hath stirred in you to take notice of his Judgments, and of his Hand upon the People of this Island, prepare your Hearts to seek the Lord in his own way; and before you do pretend to draw nigh unto him that is Holy, or to Worship him, or to offer an Offer∣ing, or to keep a Day unto him, forsake your Sins, Put away the evil of your doing from before his Eyes, and learn to do well, that your Prayers may be heard, and that you may keep the Day holy unto the Lord; and so observe the Fast which the Lord hath chosen, which is, To loose the bands of Wickedness, to undo the heavy Burthens, and to let the oppressed go free; and to break every Yoke; to deal thy Bread to the hungry, with such like Works of Righteousness: And then the Lord hath promised, that such, their Light shall break forth as the Morning, and their Health shall spring forth speedily, and their Righteousness shall go before them, and the Glory of the Lord shall be their Reward. And then may such cry, and the Lord will answer, and say, Here

am I; when there is a taking away from the midst of you the Yoke, the putting forth of the Finger, and the speaking of Vanity, &c. Isa. 58. 6, 7, 8, 9. And therefore try your ways and your doings, and let none think that the Lord is like a Man, that he will be satisfied with fair Words or Pretences; where his Voice is not hearkned unto and obey∣ed, but Sin lived in, and the Fast kept which the Scripture condemns, which the Lord hath not chosen, as you may read Isa. 58. 2, 3, 4, 5, verses; for you may see there, how that that People did seek him daily, and had a delight to know his ways, as a Nation that did Righteousness, and forsook not the Ordinances of their God. They asked me the Ordi∣nances of Justice (saith the Lord) and they take delight in approaching unto God; and then cryed, Wherefore have we fasted, and thou seest not? Wherefore have we afflicted our Souls, and thou takest no knowledge? The Lord gives the reason, Behold, saith he, In the Day of your Fast, ye find Pleasure, and exact all your Labours: Behold, saith he, ye fast for Strife and Debate, and to smite with the Fist of Wickedness; ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your Voice to be heard on high, saith the Lord. Is it such a Fast that I have chosen, a Day for a Man to afflict his Soul, and bow down his Head as a Bulrush, and to spread Sack∣cloth and Ashes under him? Wilt thou call this a Fast, and an acceptable Day to the Lord? saith the Prophet. Nay, as I have shewed before, this is not it; and therefore let every one consider how they are prepared, to keep the Fast that God hath chosen, that the Fruits thereof may be brought forth by every one that pretends unto it, or else their cry will not be heard on high; for the Lord knows every ones intent, and takes notice of their doings; so that it is not every one that saith, Lord, Lord, that shall enter and be accepted, but he that doth the Will of God. So here you may see there is two Fasts, the one chosen, and the other

rejected, and the Fruits of both manifested, whereby they may be known, who are the true Fasters, and who are not, agreeable to what Christ hath said; every Tree shall be known by its Fruit: And so let all mind what they do, and what they bring forth; for they that fast for strife and debate, and do smite with the Fist of Wickedness, they do not fast to the Lord; their Voice he will not hear, according to the Scripture. And such who instead of setting the op∣pressed free, of undoing the heavy Burthens, and of break∣ing every Yoke, do bring under Oppression, and lay heavy Burthens, and make Yokes instead of breaking them, such are not the People the Lord will accept in their Fasts, nor whose Prayers he will hear: Because they walk not in the equal way of the Lord, but love to wander, and have not restrained their feet, therefore saith Ieremiah, The Lord doth not accept them, but will remember their Iniquity and visit their Sins; and therefore the Lord commanded the Prophet, that he should not pray for that People for their good; for said God, When they fast, I will not hear their cry, and when they offer Burnt-offerings and an Oblation, I will not accept them; but I will consume them by the Sword, and by the Famine, and by the Pestilence, Ier. 14. 10, 11, 12. So you may see all along, the Lord doth not regard all that Man can do, or may do, so long as he wandereth from God, and doth not restrain his feet from walking in the evil way. Thus hath it been in all Dispensations of the Scripture be∣fore, and therefore much more under this last and most glorious Ministration of the Gospel of Christ Jesus, which is professed by you, wherein the former comes to be ful∣filled and finished, or perfected, where Christ himself is the great Law giver, who gives out his Ordinances and Pre∣cepts unto all his People, who according to the promise of the Father, gives unto them the Spirit, and writes his Law in the Hearts of all the Children of the new Covenant,

Ier. 31. 33. which they are to observe and to walk after; and if any one do otherwise, he ought to be dealt with∣all, according to the command of this great Law-giver, Mat. 18. 15, 16, 17. First to be spoke to, and see if he will hear, either a Brother, two or three, or the Church: And if he will not hear, nor be gained, then saith Christ, Let him be unto thee as an Heathen and a Publican. But he gives no Commission unto Christians to persecute, to put in Prison, to take away Goods, to pull down their Houses, to put their Feet in the Stocks, to root them out of the World Root and Branch, no; nor to wish it so to be done unto them. But if any do, he will reprove such, as he did the Disciples, when he told them, They knew not what Spirit they were of, when they desired Fire to come from Heaven; for he came not to destroy, but to save, as you may read, Luke 9. 54, 55, 56. And you may see what the Apostle Paul saith, who was a wise Master Builder; he saith, One Man esteemeth one day above another, ano∣ther he esteemeth every day alike; but between them, he saith, Let every Man be fully perswaded in his own mind. So you may see, here is no forcing upon any Man, in those things that appertain to the Worship of God; but as Christ over-rules the Conscience, and per∣swades the Heart, and brings Man into a belief that it is according to the will of God, so that it may be done in the Faith, without which none can please God; for saith the Apostle, Whatsoever is not of Faith, is Sin, Rom. 14. 5, and 23. Verses. And therefore as the Gospel is pro∣fessed, let Christ's commands be observed, and the Ex∣ample of the Primitive Christians followed, who were blessed in their Day, and had the witness of acceptance with God; who were persecuted, but never persecuted any, nor sought to trouble any, as upon a bodily or out∣ward account, for their Conscience; though they did

reprove them sharply, that turned away from the power of Truth, and became Enemies to the Cross of Christ, whose Belly was their God, who gloried in their shame, and minded earthly things, and so served not the Lord Jesus Christ, but their own Bellies, Phil. 3. 18, 19. Now such the Apostle did bear Testimony against, or any others that did unrighteously; but we do not read, that he either did, or desired to have it so, that they that did not serve the Lord Jesus Christ, should be put in Prison, or in the Stocks, or any such like bodily Punish∣ment, but left them to the righteous Judgments of the Lord at his coming, (having warned them) and so not to have fellowship with them as Brethren; but accord∣ing to Christ's command, let them be as Heathens or Publicans. And so all may see very clearly, that will read the Scripture with a single Eye, that it is not of Christ, nor according to the Primitive Example of the Church in her best State, to inforce the Conscience of any, to do any thing as a Duty to God, which they themselves had not a perswasion unto, though they did very sharply reprove, and very zealously bear Testimony against all such, who made Shipwrack of Faith and a good Conscience, and turned from the guidance and lead∣ing of the Grace of God, into Lasciviousness, Wanton∣ness, and fleshly Liberty. And therefore I cannot but desire, that all that profess Christianity, may follow the Example of them that were the first and wisest Builders of Christianity, who laid the Foundation so, that another cannot be laid. And he that would build upon this that is already laid, otherwise than they build∣ed, must suffer loss in the Day when his Works come to be tryed.

And therefore if any see the Lord's Rod, and his Judg∣ments in these things that is upon the People of this Island,

let all such humble themselves under the mighty Hand of God, and wait to feel his mighty Power, to sub∣due the Man of Sin, and to bring under that which hath oppressed the Soul, that through the power of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the oppressed may be set free, and every Yoke may be broken, that it may be witnessed which was spoken by him, Ioh. 8. 36. If the Son make you free, ye shall be free indeed; and so then People do come to the Fast that the Lord hath chosen, and that Fast cannot be accompanied with Cruelty; nor there is no smiting with the Fist of Wickedness, nor bringing Oppression over the Just, where Christ is owned and followed (as the Lord hath appointed) as a Witness, a Leader and a Commander, for which he is given to the People, as you may read in Isaiah 55. 4. But where these Evils are brought forth, as the fruits of any Fast, by those that appoint a Fast, or pretend to keep a Fast, is it not like unto Iezabel's Fast, that she caused the Elders and Nobles of the City to proclaim, where the just Man was witnessed against, condemned, and stoned to Death for nothing, but because he could not give nor sell his In∣heritance away, which the Lord had given him? And so we desire the good of all Men, and that every one may take notice of his own ways, how he walks before the Lord, and do unto others as he would be done unto; and that all may be free upon the account of things that appertain to God, and so left to the Judgment of him that knows all Hearts, that from him they may receive Reward.

And as for those things wherein Man is concerned, if any Man do wrong or injury to another in Person or Estate, we say, let such be punished according to the Law, which was made for the Transgressor, and let Judgment run down as Waters, and Righteousness as a

mighty Stream, Amos 5. 24. This is the way the Scrip∣ture largely testifies, wherein Man may come to be ac∣cepted, and the Wrath of God appeased, and his Judg∣ments removed, and so the right Desire answered.

From a Lover of Peace and Rigteousness, who truly seeks the good of all Men, John Burnyeat.

Written in Barbadoes, about the 29th of the 11th Month, 1670. upon the Occasion of a Fast, that was pretended to by the People of the Island, because of a great Sickness that was upon them, whereof many died, of which my Companion William Simson then died.

Dearly Beloved,

WHom the Lord hath called and Sanctified, and chosen in the Son of his Love, through whom he hath visited you in this Generation, as he did the People and the Gentiles in ancient Days; that you might pertake of his Salvation, and of the Power of his Life, and of the Glory of his Kingdom, with those that are gone before you. I say, for this end hath the God of Wisdom in his Love reached unto you in that Country, with the rest in this Age, that have waited for his Salvation, and have sought

the rich things of his Kingdom in his own way. And now I am satisfied, that many of you in your measures, can seal to the Truth of Christ's Words, who said, Seek and you shall find; for as he is faithful that hath promised, even so we have found his Words sure and true. And now my Friends, being its certainly so, as many can witness, that they have found that which is Eternal, which belongs to Eternal Life, having been guided by that, which the Cloud and Pillar of Fire in the Wilderness was a figure of; every one with all diligence hold that fast, which you have received, that you may grow in, and be guided by it in your further Travels in the Heavenly Journey, towards the blessed Hea∣venly Canaan, which is still before you, as the Price of the high Calling of God in Christ Jesus. And therefore ob∣serve the true Mark, and still press forward towards the same, as the Apostles and ancient Saints did. And take heed I intreat you, unto your selves, and the exercise of your Minds, lest your Eye inwardly be drawn forth to look at another Mark; for if you do, then will not the Price be the same that was theirs, who was faithful unto Death, and so continued unto the end, and obtained the Crown. Therefore be you all watchful, to keep the Enemy of your Souls out of your Hearts, that he may reign who is your Friend, for ever, who seeks your good, and brings Life and Peace unto your Souls, under whose Government and peaceable Dominion you will find Rest and Pleasure for your inward Man. And now my dear Friends, since it is the Lord's Truth you have received, and his Holy Power that you have felt, (in these Countries, even as his People in other parts) dwell you with it, and in it with careful Minds, that you may therein live unto God, as such that have a part in the first Resurrection, that you may reign for ever and ever over the Power of the Second Death. And all take heed of the mysterious Workings of

the wicked one, who works in Deceit by Guile, in every transformed Appearance, to draw the Mind out of the pure Center in the true Power, to the Likeness and Image which hath no Life in it, where there can be no stedfastness, nor true reigning over the Will that is unruly and foolish. Therefore my dear Friends, keep your Watch every one in your own Hearts continually, that you may not be be∣trayed from that pure Life, that yields vertue unto your Souls, and nourisheth up to Eternal Life. For I know; that the wicked one, in his deceitful Workings you have been acquainted with, and his evil Design the Lord by his Power, in his Light, hath discovered unto many of you; so that you, by the same, have escaped his hurtful Snares, and yet lives in that which must reign at last over all. And therefore keep your Habitation in the Power that is unchangeable, wherein you may live for ever without fading; for the Power fades not, but abides in its Glory for ever; so that the first is the last, the Root and Off-spring. Blessed are they that have kept their first Love, and have stayed in their Righteous Habitation, into which the Power did redeem them; they do still witness a growing from Grace to Grace, from Strength to Strength, and from one degree of Holiness unto another, until they come to be purely like him, who is their Redeemer, who shall change them, and bring them from Glory to Glory, till they bear the Image of the Heavenly Man, and be like him, that is altogether glorious, who is putting of his Glory richly upon his Church, which is his People in this Day. And therefore you that have received the Spirit of the Lord, and are acquainted with it, do you follow it in all its pure leadings with faithful Hearts; for it will certainly lead all the Faithful to know an increase of Glory. And take heed of the Spirit of the World, which is not of God, but leads from him; that

Spirit where it prevails, causeth to wither and sade, and brings Barrenness upon the Soul, and Darkness and Death, and then the Glory is lost, and the Image of the Heavenly then is not born, nor no Man in that is Heir of the Heavenly Inheritance. Therefore it doth behoove all to look to their standing, in that wherein the Heirship is, that none may come short of that Crown, which Paul said, was laid for him, and all them that loved the appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ. And so the God of Love and Peace keep you all, in his Love, Fear and Wisdom, that your Dwellings for ever may be in his Peace, which the World cannot take away, nor rob you of; that so with the rest of his He∣ritage, you may shine in the Light of his Glory, and dwell in the Richness of his Kingdom for ever and ever. Amen.

Bristol, the 9th of the 10th Month, 1675.

This is the Desire of my Soul for you all, whom I truly love, and in the Life Salute, where∣in I am your Friend and Brother, J. B.

Taunton, the 7th of the 2d. Month, 1677.

My dear Friends in Cumberland,

UNto you my Love and Life reaches, and purely flows forth in that which Lives for ever; wherein I do in the Innoceney and Life of Righteousness truly Salute you all, whom the Lord hath raised and called to be a part of the first Fruits unto himself in this day of ours, wherein the Glory of his hidden Life he hath Revealed unto a Remnant, even that which from the Wise and Prudent of this World is still hid; and from such, as turn back into that Wisdom, it comes again to be Vailed, so that the Light of the Glo∣ry of it they lose again, though they had a view thereof. And therefore blessed are all, who keep their Habitation in that Power which never Changeth nor Decays, the Glory of the Heavenly things will be still in their view, by which their Hearts will be enlarged towards the Lord, both in Love unto him, and a Living People to his Honour in all things, that his Name may be Exalted, and the Testimo∣ny of his Truth in its own pure Nature in every thing kept up, according to its Brightness and Glory, as by the power thereof we were raised up in the beginning, as the life of Holiness grew in us, dear Friends, that which quickned and raised us from the Dead in years past, through which we Live unto God; and as we keep in the same, we shall for ever be accepted by him, and be well pleasing in his sight: but out of that you know none shall be regarded by him, though ye might do much, for he did not regard them in the days of old for all they could do, that did not keep in the Life of Righteousness, though they might go far, even to the covering of the Altar with Tears. And therefore, as I said, that by which you were first quickned and raised,

is that in which for ever we must be accepted, so that every one is to mind and wait for an increase, and by ex∣perience of the growth of that wherein there is a coming upwards, from a Child's State, to a farther growth, and still it is in the same Nature, without degeneration from that which was first, and so the first is witnessed to be last, and ye grow more and more into the fulness of Christ, in whom all fulness dwells. And therefore my dearly Be∣loved, in all your Meetings upon the Truth's account have an eye unto, and wait for an Injoyment of his Blessed and Heavenly and Heart-breaking Power of the Lord God a∣mong you, that your Hearts may be broken thereby, and your Spirits melted into true Love and Contriteness, and you preserved in that state, and then will your Hearts be inlarged in the Heavenly Wisdom that is Pure, Peaceable, Gentle and Easy to be Intreated, and in that Wisdom and Power in you all, in the same will all your works stand to the Honour of God, and Comfort one of another, and your Eys will be always to the Promotion of Truth in Righteousness, keeping up your ancient Testimony, into which God raised you by his Power in years past, and in the Life and Power of God you will keep under, and weak∣en that which would arise to trample his Holy Testimo∣ny under Foot, and so keep the House and Family of God in Order, and keep to the Cross to that, which would be out in a Fleshly Liberty, to make void the Cross of Christ, by which we were Crucified to the World, and the World to us; for that which would be from under the Cross, is the same that would lead into the World again, and so would make shipwrack of Faith and a tender Conscience, and lead into headiness, hardness, stubornness, and looseness again, and then do they Apostatise from the Life of God that is in them, and become Reprobates concerning the Faith, and so through forsaking their first Love, lose their

Reward at last. And therefore the true Elders, Elder Men and Elder Women ought to have this Care upon them over the younger, that all may be preserved in the first Love, and first Zeal, that none may lose that, nor draw back into a fleshly Liberty, down into the Wisdom that is from below, which hath not its Spring in, nor from that Heavenly Gift, which cannot keep the Hearts pure, as the Heavenly doth; and you know, it was the Gift of the Heavenly Power, that first Quickned us, and made us to Live to God; and you know, it is the same that keeps our Hearts Tender and Lively, by which we Live for ever. For our Life that we now Live, is by Faith in him who is the Power of God, and we Feed upon him, and his Flesh is Bread, according to his own Words; for he is the Living Bread that came down from God, and still comes down, therefore mind it, wait for it, and stand up for it, and be not starved again upon the barren Mountains of your own Imaginations, where this Bread of Life is not to be found. And dear Friends, keep your Men and Womens Meetings in the Lord's Fear and Power, and keep in the Holy Care, where you may have a sense of your concern in the Body, and feel your Place and Charge every one of you, and be Zealous for Righteousness in the particu∣lar and in the general, and the Lord will be with you, as he hath been, I am witness: For none no longer dwells in the Truth and Love, than they dwell in Righteousness, though they may make a profession. And be not at all discouraged in your works for the Lord and his Truth, by that Spirit that would bring a light esteem upon your Holy Care and Godly Order in the Truth, for it is the same in Nature, that in all ages endeavoured to lay wast God's Heritage, and obstruct his Work, and layed stumbling blocks in the way of God's Traveling People, to cause them to fall, and to turn back a∣gain; the Lord will blast every desire, that those go about in this matter who let in this Spirit, and bring his Life over

it, and preserve his People therein; that in this Life and Heavenly Liberty, they may Serve him, and Praise him, who Lives for Ever, who is Everlastingly Worthy, to whom be glory and Dominion, World without End.

Dear Hearts, you being Living in my Remembrance, as also the Heavenly Seasons we had together, when I was last with you, my Heart is filled with Love towards you; and in that I send these few Lines, as a Salutation and tender Greeting unto you, that you may know you rest in my Re∣membrance, as I believe I do in yours. So the God of Love and Peace keep you all in his Love and Fear unto the End, that your Portion may be with him in his Eternal Kingdom, where there shall be no Sorrow, but you may dwell in Pleasure for ever, and for evermore.

From your Friend and Brother in the Fel∣lowship of the Gospel. J. B.

Dear and Well-beloved,

UNto you, who are the called of God in those parts, unto whom the visitation of his Day hath reached, and upon whose Hearts the Heaven'y Light thereof hath shined, in its pure spiritual breakings forth, so that you are become the Children thereof, and do walk therein; unto you all doth the tender Salutation of my Soul reach in the love of God, and in the Fellowship, which is a Mystery, which is held in a pure Conscience, and continued, as we walk and abide in the Light, in which we have fellowship with the Father, and with the Son, and also one with ano∣ther, and so are of one Family and Houshold, partakers of that one Bread, which all the sanctified in all Ages did feed upon; which is that which we are to wait for in this Day, that we may live thereby unto God, and grow through the Divine Nourishment thereof up into his Nature, and into his Strength, wherein we may triumph over the Adver∣sary, as the Antients did of old, and rejoyce in the God of our Salvation, who is our Strength and Tower of Safety for ever.

Dear Friends, Great and large hath the Love and Kindness of our God been unto us (who were Strangers, Aliens and Enemies in our minds unto him) in this, that he hath called and chosen us to be his People, and to bear witness unto his appearance, and the shinings forth of his Light, and of the Glory of his Presence, whereby he hath richly comforted our Souls, and lifted up our Heads above all sorrow, even when the Enemy hath thought to sink us down into the Pit. Thus hath the Lord dealt bountifully with our Souls, and been a ready help in the needful time; to him be the Honour and Glory for ever and ever! So that now it be∣hooves

all, after so many Deliverances, Favours and Mercies, to stick close unto the Lord, and seek his Glory above all, and that with all their strength, that so he who is the good Husband-man, may be glorified through every ones bringing forth of Fruit, according to Christ's command.

Now my Friends, this all observe, that none can bring forth Fruit unto God's Glory, but as they abide in Christ the living Vine; from him is the Life received, by which, every one lives unto God; and it is by the vertue of that Life, that every one must act to his Praise. And there∣fore see, that you all retain it in its own Purity, and live in subjection thereunto through your whole Day; that you may be as fruitful Branches, abiding in the right Na∣ture, and bearing holy Fruit: And then will you feel the holy Dew abide upon your Spirits, throughout your Age, that will preserve you from withering, your Leaf from fading; and so your Fruit shall be ripe in due season, and not be untimely brought forth in that which will not en∣dure: For that in which we have believed, will endure for ever. The Heavenly Power which God hath revealed in our Hearts, and made manifest for a standing Foundation, that's sure for ever; upon which, as you all abide stedfast, the Gates of Hell, with all the power of Darkness, shall not prevail against you, but you shall be able to withstand him, and keep your Habitations in the Dominion thereof, and dwell in Peace upon the Rock of safety, in the midst of all Storms; and sing for joy of Heart, when those that forsake this Rock, shall howl and lament for vexation of Spirit. For the Lord God will bring his Day and his Power over all, and upon all, that fly to any shelter, or seek any other defence, that have once known his Truth; and he will be unto such as a Moth, and as Rottenness, and their Strength he will waste, and their Garment and Cloth∣ing he will destroy, and their Beauty and Glory he will

cause to fade; though they have been as a beautiful Flower in the head of the fat Valley, yet will fading come upon them, even dryness at the Root, and withering and decay∣ing upon the beauty of their Blossoms. And therefore let all keep unto that, and in that, which will not decay, come to nothing, nor never be turned into Darkness, but abide in its vertue and glory, in and by which the Lord hath visited you, and through which his Day hath dawned upon your Souls, the Morning whereof you have known bright and clear, as without Clouds, in which you have seen the Son in his Glory to appear unto your Souls, with his Heavenly healing, warmness and vertue. Now Friends, this is that which for ever is to be kept too, that the Day may be known to increase in the light and glory of it, in its own clearness, without mixture, not mixing with it your own Wisdom, Thoughts, or carnal Imaginations, which do prove such Clouds, where they are suffered to arise, that they bring Darkness over the understanding, and make the Day cloudy and dark, and so occasion wandering, and to some turn the very Eye-lids of the Morning into the Shadow of Death. And through such things hath the Enemy so prevailed over some, that he hath brought them again into the Night of Everlasting Darkness and Confusion, ere they have been aware, whither he would lead; and thus as a Man void of Understanding, over whom the Whorish Woman hath prevailed, and so led down to the Chambers of Death, have many followed those Steps, that have taken hold on Hell, where Misery is sure to be met with∣all.

Dear Friends, that which preserves from these Dangers, is that Arm and Power which God revealed in the begin∣ning, by which (as we are Witnesses) he redeemed our Souls out of many afflictions. And therefore, let it be every ones care, to wait for a clear and sensible feeling of that

same Power in its own pure Nature, to spring in all your Hearts every Day, and then will your delight be so in it, and your acquaintance (in a clear Understanding) will be so with it, that you will never be deceived, so as to take any other for it. Then to your comfort, will your Hea∣venly Peace spring under the Power and Government of him that is the Prince of true Peace, and so will your Hearts be made truly glad, and weighty, and ponderous, and not to be carried about with every Wind: For in this is the true and sure Establishment of the Soul, with Grace in the Covenant of Life for ever; and these are they whose Peace is of a standing nature, who are not given to change. But this I have always observed, that where there is an uncer∣tain Spirit or Mind, though in some states into which, at times they may come, they may have Peace, and feel some Refreshment, yet for want of constancy and stedfastness (which is preserved through a true, watchful and diligent attendance upon that which doth not change, which is sure for ever) they lose their Habitation, and their state of Peace, and come to be tossed in their Minds, and afflicted in their Spirits; and also are the occasion of tossing, affliction and di∣stress unto others, who not being aware, may sometimes be in danger to suffer with them, when they fly from the Word, that should uphold, as it was with Ionah in the days of old. And therefore it is good for every one, to have their Hearts established with Grace, and in the Grace wait for a settle∣ment, that under the pure teachings thereof, they may be preserved from going into those things that will procure Woe; and so shall every ones State in that which is good, be more and more constant, and then will there be a grow∣ing, and going forward and not backward. For that which doth occasion any to linger, or draw back, is Carelesness, Unbelief and Disobedience; and in such the Lord's Soul doth take no pleasure. And therefore in that which doth

not change, all live, by which all changeable and mutable Thoughts, and Imaginations, and Desires will be judged down, and the spring of Life over all will slow; and the First will be the last; for in that the Beauty and Glory doth stand for ever. And all that abide not in it, to grow in the vertue thereof, (whatever they have been) at the best will be but as a fading Flower in the head of the fat Valley, as it was with Ephraim; the Lord will take no de∣light in them, but reject them, and cast them out, as such whose Beauty is gone, whose Gold is become dim, and whose Wine is mixt with Water: And so as reprobate Silver shall they be esteemed even of Men, because the Lord hath re∣jected them.

So the Lord God keep and preserve you all in that which was from the beginning, and will endure unto the end, that in that ye may flourish and grow, as the Lilly of the Valley, and the Tree by the Rivers of Water. This is the desire of my Soul for you all, who truly love you in the love of God, wherein I remain one with you, and am

London, the 10th of the 3d Month, 1677.

Your Brother in the Truth, J. B.

Let Copies of this be sent to New-England, Virginia, Maryland and Barbados.

Upon the 2d of the 10th Month, 1677.

ONE Oliver Morross, an Informer, came into a Meeting in Mahuntleth in Mountgomery in Wales, where Iohn Burnyeat, in the fear of God was speaking unto the People, and Preaching the Gospel of Peace and Salvation unto them (for their good) as he had received from the Lord; the said Oliver Morross, Informer, with several Constables, and many other Rude People came twice into the Meeting, to break up the Meeting, and made a great disturbance: But Friends in quietness sitting still (only one who reasoned the matter with him) he at last went out, and all his Com∣pany to the Stable, and there took all the Horses, and Friends Horses, all they could find in the Town: But after Meeting we got them again, they being then taken with∣out any colour of Law. But the next day, being the 3d day of the 10th Month, the said Informer went to one William Pugh of Mathauern, a Justice of Peace (so called) who came along with him, and met Iohn Burnyeat and Thomas Ellis upon the Road, and stopt them both, and caused them to turn back to an Ale-house, where this Informer, and another Man (which was William Pugh's Bayliff) Swore against them for Preaching at the aforesaid Meeting, for which the Justice Fined them, and wrote a Warrant, and sent for a Constable, who by that Warrant seised upon Iohn Burnyeat's Mare, and Thomas Ellis's Horse, with Saddles and Bridles; and so they were constrained to Travel on their Way on Foot, till they could get to an Ale-house to get Lodging. This Reward the Lord's Servants Received at their Hands, for their Love and Good will to the Souls of People.

Iohn Burnyeat's Mare was worth about 8 l. Thomas Ellis's Horse, about 3 l. 10 s.

Iohn Burnyeat's Mare Dyed within an hour and an half after Seizure; and the other Friends took the Mange and Dy∣ed in the Informer's Hands within six Months time.

J. B.

Dear and Well-beloved in the Lord,

WITH you my Soul hath Precious Unity in the Spi∣ritual Fellowship, and Nearness, and Heavenly One∣ness, which stands in that Life, by which we were first Quickened; in which we Live, and in the Increase of which we grow into a Heavenly Understanding and true Soundness, in Discerning and Judgment, whereby the Faithful come to be more and more accomplished for their Places, and fitted for every good Work, that so they may answer their Office and Membership in the true Body, whereof Christ Jesus is the Head; of which Body we are made living Members through his Love, who hath called us, and in his Son chosen us to be Heirs of Life.

Dear Friends, your selves know, that he who through his Bounty hath blessed us with Spiritual blessings, in Christ Jesus, so that we are made Stewards of his Manifold Graces,

who now doth require answerable Service from us all, accord∣ing to our gifts received from him; and whosoever is found Faithful to their Gifts and Places, shall certainly witness an Increase, and so grow in Grace and in the Knowledg of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and so come more and more into true soundness, and to the Spirit of a sound Mind: For you know, how richly the Power of Christ was Manifested in us and among us in the beginning, and how wonderful it did work for the Redeeming of our Hearts out of the World, the Vanity and Pleasures of it, that we might Love and Affect Heavenly things, and delight in the glory of that which comes from Heaven. And in that day you may re∣member the glorious and Heavenly Raptures we many times were raised up into, and with admiration were ready to turn about and say, We will Behold this Wonder, the Bush which Burns, and is not Consumed. But since that time many have been the Exercises, and weighty have been the Tryals that have been met with in our Spiritual Progress, through which the Lord hath led us; and many Temptations hath the Lord delivered us from, and led us out of; and many Weaknesses hath he passed by, and Trespasses hath he in his great Mercy forgiven; so that to this day we remain, and that in cove∣nant with him: Therefore have we cause to Praise him, and to Sing unto him. Now our present state and capacity, to which he hath brought us, is to be minded, and our duty therein; for now many are come to be Free from being Ser∣vants or Slaves unto the old Task-masters; and though but in our Journey, yet there is something to be done, which was truly Figured out in Israel's Travel; they were to fit the Ta∣bernacle with all the Services and Ornaments belonging there∣unto, though in the Wilderness in their Travel; and the Men and Women were both concerned (as you may read) in the work to prepare for the Fitting of the Tabernacle, accord∣ing to the Command of the Lord. And this was after the

Lord had appeared unto Moses, shewed his Wonders in Egypt, wrought that great Salvation at the Red Sea, and manifested his dreadful Presence upon Mount Sinai; and given forth his Holy Law, and his Manifestations, by which he Taught Israel to do his Will; so that in the observation of which they were blessed; a lively Figure, of what our Souls are Witnesses of, in the Heavenly Substance. So that now we are not to be neg∣ligent, for it would not have been well in Israel to have an∣swered Moses (when according to the Command of God he put the People upon it, both Men and Women, to Work for the Fitting of the Tabernacle) We had no such thing, when we came out of Egypt, we had no such thing put upon us, when we began our Iourney; we will do as we did in the beginning: This would have been Rebellion against him, that by the Hand of Moses brought them out of Egypt, and freed them out of Bondage: And you know, what Judgments and Destruction he brought upon them, that did rebel and gainsay, as Corah and his Company, who withstood the Ordinance of God.

Oh! my dear Friends, methinks, I am as if I were talking with you of the Lord's Mercies and former Loving Kindnesses and Dealings with us; and being also under a present sense of our present state and capacities, to which he hath brought us, my Bowels within me are even Melted with a Holy Love and Tenderness towards you; and in that Love I send these Lines, as the Salutation of my Soul in that which Lives for ever, and as a signification of that entire love, which in my Heart lives towards you; Wherein I desire, that both you and I for∣ever may so mind our present state, and our growth and the in∣crease of the Mercies of our God unto us, as to answer them by a Faithful Serving of him, and one another in that love which thinks no Evil, and is never weary of doing good, and yet will not vaunt it self. Now this is that which lives in my view, the Power of Christ, which was so Richly Ma∣nifested

in the beginning, did then Work to the preparing of us to be a People fit to do his Will; and so it wrought unto a Cleansing, Washing, and Sanctifying of us, that we might be Holy Vessels fit for his use. Now being Prepared, the same power in the Faithful works mightily, to the Fitting and Furnishing of us unto every Good Work, that we might be to the praise of his grace, who hath called us; and if we so be to his praise, we must grow in Grace, and in the know∣ledg of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ: And if we grow in the Knowledg of him, as we have known him to save us from Sin, and to destroy the evil one, and so to be our Sanctification and Redemption; even so we must Wait to know him to be made of God unto us Wisdom, that he may be our Wisdom, and the Fountain of it unto us may be the gift of his Holy Power in our Hearts. And so then, as it did mightily work in our Hearts to Prepare us, even so will the same Gift be felt to work mightily to furnish us with Wisdom, and to enable for every Good Work; and so you will know him to be made of God Wisdom unto you. For the Holy dread of the Power upon the Heart in Righteousness being felt, guides him or her in Wisdom that Speaks; the same Holy Fear and Dread upon the Heart guides him in Silence, that in Silence sitteth, whose mouth is not opened, and so he is made still, and Christ your Head, who is one in the Man, and in the Woman, Wisdom unto you; and so here all will be kept in your places, as you keep in Subjection unto him, who is the Head, the Husband of the true Wife.

And dear Friends, mind his Heavenly Power, and keep under a Holy Reverence unto it, and that will keep you Savoury and Reverent in your Meetings, and clear and in a good understanding, and Subject one unto another; and so you will be Co workers together, and helpers one of another, and so you will come to have the benefit one of anothers gifts: And thus as Members, will you supply in a Blessed

Unity every one your Office in the Body. And therefore my Counsel, as a Brother in Love, unto you is, Let all be Sub∣ject: None, in whom the tender Life in a Heavenly Rever∣ence doth move for Counsel, Advice or otherwise, to quench it, or to stop the Service; for in so doing others may be wronged, as well as the particular, unto whom the Lord intends benefit by thy gift: For it is not good to Stop; only let all take heed, that their own Spirits may be Subject, that Christ may be head in all, and he may be your Wisdom. And be open and ready in your Hearts to Re∣ceive Counsel, Help and Instruction one from another, and keep down the forward, heady and rash Spirit, that would run without Reverence, and speak without the true Fear, from that none will rightly understand, nor have a true sense of the Weight of the Service of this Day.

O! it is fresh in my Heart, the Dread, the Reverence, the Fear, that our Hearts were filled with in the begin∣ning, in which we went about Truth's Concern; this same is still to be Felt and Minded, and then all will be kept Savoury; and in this will all your Meetings, your Care and Labour of Love be a sweet Smelling Sacri∣fice unto the Lord.

And Friends, let your Monthly and Quarterly-Meetings be kept orderly for the Service determined and aimed at, that you may be retired from the World, and such not concerned in the Service Proposed for such Meet∣ings; that so all that come, may be either Capable of doing Service in a Reverent Mind, or to Learn that which may be for Truths Honour, their own Good, and your Comfort; and then will all you, who are concerned, get into your Service without Strait∣ness, and so will be a help one unto another in your particular gifts, and the Spring of Life will be open∣ed

among you, and your Meetings will be Delight∣ful unto you; and you in that will be a Delight one to another; and then with one Consent, in the Pleasant Unity you will do the Lord's Work together, as his Ser∣vants and Hand-maids, and a part of his pleasant Heritage, which he hath Chosen, and upon whom he rains down his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 daily.

And so the God of Peace and Love fill your Assemblies with his Presence, Life and Love, that you may Flourish, as the Plants of his Right-hand-planting, and be faithful through your whole Day, is the desire of my Heart and Soul, who Remain,

Your Brother in the Lord Jesus Christ, I. B.

To the Women's Meetings in Cumberland.

From London, 20th of the 4th Month, 1678.

Dear Friends,

YOU whom the Lord hath visited and reached unto by his own holy Arm of Heavenly Power; for that blessed end, for which he hath visited many Nations, and appeared unto many People, that he might shew Glory again unto Mankind, which through Sin, they were fallen short of, that so in his Visitation he might renew that Heavenly Image, whereby he might be glorified again among the Sons of Men; and now in this great Day of Visitation, which hath dawned upon the Nations, you in these Countries have been visited and reached unto, and graciously saved and delivered from the Snares of Death, and opened unto the way of Life; so that you have both seen into that hidden Glory, and tasted of, and been enjoyers of the power of that Life, which hath no end. And now that care which always ought to dwell upon your Hearts, is this, that you may keep in possession that which you have received: That as was said of old, None may take your Crown from you, nor none may fall short of that Rest, which is prepared for the visited and redeemed of the Lord. The way you have known, God hath shewed it unto you, and called you to walk therein; and the mark you have seen, the Lord hath set that before you, that you might press towards it, as the antient Christians did, for the Price of the high Calling of God in Christ Jesus. And now dear Friends, that which I desire all may be concerned in, is, how there is a pressing for∣ward towards the Mark, and a going on in this way which the Lord hath cast up or revealed, and called you to walk in; for it is he that travels on; that shall come to the blessed End, and obtain the Crown of Glory; and not such as lingers or sits down by the way, either to take up a Rest, or look

for another Inheritance, besides what God hath promised, shall be the possession after the War is over, and the Con∣quest obtained. For Iordan must be gone through, and the Canaanites utterly subdued, before any Man of War sit down in his Inheritance: Therefore those Tribes, that had their Lots on the other side of Iordan, were to go through Iordan, and continue in the War, till all was subdued: And thus is the saying true, He that continues unto the end, shall be saved; and he that's faithful unto Death, shall have the Crown of Life. And therefore let a concern be always upon your Minds in this weighty matter, that you may see how it is with you, and whether you are still in your Journey upon your Travel towards the Mark for the Price: And as you must mind, whether you are in your Travel, pressing forwards or no; even so you must mind also, that you press forwards toward the Mark, or else you may come short of the Price, the blessed Inheritance, and so be such as Iames speaks of, that ask and receive not, because they ask amiss. For the Heavenly Wisdom is to be sought after, and waited for, that comes down from above, which teacheth and guideth in the Heavenly Way, the Heavenly Path of Life and Salvation, where every ones steps will be sure, and their goings will be established, and their understandings will grow. For the Iust Man's Path, will be as the shining Light, that shines more and more, unto the perfect Day: Here none will be like those that beat the Air, or run at an uncertainty; the Apostle said, they were not such, yet there may be such, whose Pains and Travels may be great. Therefore still I say, let your pressing be towards the Mark, in the sense of the Lord's power, which is the true Guide, and the true Cross, that mortifies and crucifies the Flesh with its Affecti∣ons and Lusts, and keeps Self down in the Death, out of the Reputation, for there is none due unto it. For whoso∣ever gives and seeks Reputation to it, which ought to be

made of no Reputation, such can never rightly seek God's Honour, nor work his Work, nor obtain the right Price, nor attain the Crown, but must fall short at last: For it is in him that crucifies Self, and makes it of no Reputation, that the Election stands, and in whom the Heirship is for ever. And therefore, dear Friends, wait all to feel his power in your Hearts, and diligently mind the blessed working thereof, that you may feel, how it purgeth your Consciences from dead Works, and cleanseth your Hearts from Sin; for Sin defileth the Heart, that it is not prepared for the Lord, he will not dwell therein. Therefore it must be washed, and dead Works must be purged away; for no Man can serve the living God therein; it must be the living Works in the living Power, wherein we must be accepted. And so let all mind the living Power, which is the living Guide, which doth guide in the living Way, and keeps alive unto God; and so you will all be kept a living People, and grow up in the living Wisdom that is from above, which is inwardly taught by the living Gift, that is received from the Father of Lights, with whom there is no variable∣ness, nor shadow of turning. And as you grow up in this Wisdom, you will be constant, there will be an establishing, and such will shew out of a good Conversation their Works, with Meekness and Wisdom. But saith the Apostle, if there be bitter Envying, and Strife in your Hearts, glory not, and lie not against the Truth; this Wisdom descendeth not from above, but is Earthly, Sensual and Devilish: For where En∣vying and Strife is, there is Confusion and every evil Work. But the Wisdom that is from above, is first pure, and then peaceable, gentle, and easie to be entreated; full of Mercy and good Fruits, &c. And the Fruit of Righteousness is sown in Peace of them that make Peace; so you may see the Fruits brought forth, manifest the Wisdom, from whence it comes: The Heavenly peaceable Wisdom brings forth

the peaceable Fruits of Righteousness, and is full of Mercy, gentle, and easie to be intreated, and full of good Works; but the Earthly brings forth the contrary. Therefore saith the Apostle, If there be bitter Envying and Strife in your Hearts, glory not, and lie not against the Truth: Say not, thou art in the Heavenly Wisdom, while this lodgeth in thee, for this Wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly and sensual, and therefore can never establish, but bring Confusion, because he is the Author of it, that can never work good.

And therefore dear Friends, let your Hearts be always kept in subjection unto that Power, that bridles your Wills and crosses them, and keeps you lowly, humble and gentle, where the daily dying, which the Apostle was in, may be witnessed; and so you will see the true pressing forward towards the Mark, and the true growing into Dominion over him that would hinder; and then, as Iames saith, Swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to Wrath; for the Wrath of Man worketh not the Righteousness of God. Yet this I have often observed, Man in a heat of Wrath would be working for God; but in that he cannot work the Righteousness of God: Therefore well said Iames, Swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to Wrath: And you know, that he whom we ought to hear, saith, Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in Heart: And so as every one learns of him, and minds the leadings of his Power, and the teachings of his spirit of Grace in their Hearts, they will grow more and more like him, and come into his Nature and healing Spirit, and so in his Grace and Life be Healers and Saviours: And therefore was it said by the Prophet, they should be as Saviours upon Mount Zion. Now Friends, every one mind this saving, healing power in your selves, and bow in your Hearts unto it, and be still in your Minds and calm, and you shall see how it will sweeten you, level your Spirits, and bring down that which

is high and losty, and hard, and you shall see, how the Mountains will melt at the prefence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Iacob, and you shall see, how the Winds and Seas obey your Saviour, and into what calmness he will bring your Spirits; and then when all is still, your Ear being opened, which is the first Work of the Word, you will be swift to hear, and hearing, your Souls will live: And you will come down out of all the noises, floatings and swellings, into the calmness and stillness, where you will admire your Saviour, and say, What manner of Man is this, that even the Winds and Seas obey him? And you will see, that though Iordan over-flow her Banks, yet at the leadings on of our Ioshuah, and at the entrance of the feet of our High Priest, it must be driven back, that the Ransomed of the Lord may pass over dry-shod. Much of this nature in Spirit may be read, as there is a hearkning and keeping low; but the forward, rash and hasty, are often tossed upon the Waters, and very uncertain in their ways and doings; and therefore do produce unto themselves much affliction of Soul and Spirit; for to them the promise doth not belong, where it is said, He will keep them in perfect Peace, whose Minds are stayed upon him, because they trusted in him.

Now Friends, methinks the Way is plain, if every one would be careful to attend upon the power and its openings, and give way thereunto, and be humble; for its the humble he teacheth his Ways, and the meek he will guide in Iudgment, and the willing and obedient he will feed, for the Promise is, They shall eat of the good of the Land. And therefore I do beseech all, be mindful, be you all careful, keep your Hearts out of the World, and the drowning, surfeiting Cares and Pleasures of it, that you may neither be choaked, nor surfeited with the excess of that, nor so led up into the worldly Pleasures, and Liberty out of the Truth, which that draws into, as thereby and

therein to forget the Lord, and overlook your inward State. For if any so do, they lose the Glory, the Beauty and Sweetness of their Heavenly condition; and then they grow weary of the Way of the Lord, and ready to say, as some of old, What profit is there in serving of God, or in keeping of his Ordinances? And therefore the God of Life stir you up, and awaken all unto Watchfulness and Diligence, that you may grow rich in the inward Man, and be replenished with the Vertues and Graces of God, that you may be a fruitful People in those parts of the World, to the Honour and Glory of him who hath called and visited you, who is Worthy of all Glory and Honour, Praise and Dominion for ever!

And dear Friends, my Heart's love reacheth unto you all, who love and fear the Lord; and in the Love of God I dearly salute you all, and send this as a Testimony of that Love, that still lives in my Heart unto you, and therein I remain,

London, 1680.

Your Friend and Brother, I. B.

Dear Friends,

THE Love of my Heart and Soul is richly extended forth unto you; and surely, my Heart is affected with you in the Exercise you are under, and do endure in this Day, wherein the Lord seems to be pleased to try you as in a Furnace of Affliction, and to prove your Faith and Pa∣tience, that you may come to know the value of it, even of that which is more precious than Gold that perisheth. And truly, my Heart believes, that the Lord doth not suffer it to come upon you to destroy you, but to try you; and when his good Will is fulfilled in that, and they have filled up their measure, whose Hearts are hardened in their Cruel∣ty, he will find a way to deliver and bring forth his tryed and proved People, whose Hearts are right before him, and whose Souls are wisely set to seek him; unto such shall all things be rightly sanctified, and the Blessing, and the Peace and Glory shall rest upon their inward Man, with the richness of that Life which comes from Heaven, for which you suffer; for it is your innocent suffering for this, (as you have the Witness thereof in your selves) that brings the Crown and Diademe of Glory to be put upon the Head of your inward Man. So that the saying of the Apostle comes to be witnessed, The Spirit of God and of Glory shall rest upon you. Oh my most dearly beloved Friends! How is my Soul melted into tenderness, and my Heart broken within me, in the meltings of the love of God towards you, and in the sense of your long and weighty Trials, that you have endured and gone through; and yet for all must they seem, as if they were but beginning. Is the strength of the hard-hearted such, that they are resolved to make a full end, or to try what the Lord can do? Will they prove

their Arm to the utmost? Well, the Lord in his own time will manifest, that it is but Flesh, and not Spirit, and therefore that which must decay and wither, and be dried up, and so prove weak at last, when the unseen Arm of the Lord, which they see not, nor know not, shall be revealed, and stretched out, and made bare; which you that look not at things that are seen, have a Faith in, which Faith is that by which you live, and in which you have your Victory, and in which your Hope doth fasten as an Anchor, both sure and stedfast: So that though the Winds do blow, and the raging Waves do swell high, yet you are preserved and kept from being overthrown and destroyed.

Dearly Beloved, methinks, I find a Word of sweet Exhor∣tation in my Heart unto you, whom my Soul loves, who may be, or are tryed in this exercising Day with Bonds or Imprisonments. In the first place, get into a quiet frame of Spirit and Mind within your selves every one, and into a resignedness freely up into the Will of God, out of time, looking as little at that, as you can; for if you do, it will make your Exercises worse and harder. For this I have experienced, that when a Man is freeliest resigned into the Will of God, and in a right Spirit most given up to suffer for him, he is fittest to have his Liberty, and most commonly it is the nearest unto him. Dear Lambs, I know there is sometimes a Travel in Spirit, to get into a right place with the inward Man, when the outward Man is in Bonds; but when the Heart once gets thither, all things are made easie and comfortable by him, who said, his Yoke was easie, and his Burthen light. And now be all concern∣ed thus to get through in your Spirits, and then you will feel, that the Word of God is not bound, but free, and your Souls will be free in it and its holy Power, and so be fed by the Milk of it, that your Souls will draw spiritually

from the blessed Breasts thereof, by which you have been born again. And being thus in your inward Man re∣newed unto God, and up into his Life, where the Habi∣tation of Peace and Quietness is for your Souls, that they cannot reach to bring a Disturbance to, and there feeling your Ease, Joy, Peace and Pleasure to be such, that you can in your Prison-House sing joyful Praises unto the Lord; then, my Friends, be vvatchful, tender and kind one unto another, and over one another, that Love, Peace and Joy may be maintained among you all, who suffer rightly and innocently for the Truth of our God; that so you may be one anothers Ioy and Crown of Rejoicing in the Lord Jesus Christ your Life and Strength.

And dear Friends, where there is innocency and simpli∣city, bear one with another, and help one another, that in your sufferings you may have fellowship one with another; and so keep in the fellowship of the sufferings of Jesus Christ, where all may be humble and tender, that so while others are striving to provoke you to come out of your places, and to offend the Lord, you may not provoke one another, nor be an occasion unto any one to go out of their place in the Truth, and so to lose their Peace with the Lord and in his Spirit. For I have observed, that there is a care to be amongst Friends, at such times and in such con∣ditions, when they are kept up together, that all things may be kept sweet and pleasant, and that they may even join together in bearing the Burthen that is laid upon them; and those that are more grown, and deeper in their experi∣ence, of what they are called unto, may help the weak, and so fulfil the Law of Love.

And dear Friends, let not unprofitable Discourse be gone into, for that may lead into a striving, that may hurt the unity, that should be kept in the Light, and hath sometimes grown into a Heat, which hath set some Spirits against one another,

which should have been one, and kept in the Unity, where the love and comfort is. And so all watching in the Light, and waiting to feel the healing Power and Life in your Souls, there will be a sweetness and Heavenly oiliness over your Hearts, in which you will have a delight one in another, and in one anothers good; and this will help you all, and so the strong comforted in the innocent and reverent care of the weak, and the weak comforted in the Love, Care, Gentleness and Kindness of such that are strong: And this preserves as a pleasant Family, to the Honour of the great Lord and Father. And so then shall you see, how he will delight in you, and appear among you, and enrich you, and bless you every one with a Portion from himself, out of his Heavenly Bounty, and Divine rich Trea∣sure, that none will want Bread, nor refreshing Wine to nou∣rish you in the inward Man; but the holy Gift in you will be as a Well, springing up unto Eternal Life.

And so, you dear suffering Children of the Lord God All∣mighty, my Heart and Soul most dearly salutes you all, and in the Love of God I have Unity with you in your blessed Te∣stimony, for which you suffer; in which the God of all Grace and Truth comfort your Hearts, and bear up your Heads over all your Hardships and deep Sufferings, which, as I under∣stand, are renewed and increased upon you: That through him, for whom you suffer, who is your God, and the great Lord of Heaven and Earth, you may be strong to endure and abide to the end, to his Glory and Honour, who is over all, and Worthy of all, Blessed for ever, Amen.

London, the 20th of the 3d Monh 1682.

From your Friend and Brother, in that which shall out-live all Hardship, in which we have believed, J. B.

A Copy of an Epistle written to Friends at Bristol, in the time of their Sufferings.

Dear Friends,

UNTO you, whom God hath Visited in his Love and Mercy, and unto whom he hath shewed Kindness through his Son our Saviour, whom he hath given for Salva∣tion unto the Ends of the Earth; unto you, I say, doth the real Love of my Heart reach forth, and for you in my Heart there Dwels a Care, that as God in the exceeding Riches of his Love and Mercy hath Visited you, and called you to be Saints, through the Sanctification of the Word, and Purifying through Faith, that you being made Holy, might become Heirs of Eternal Life through his Son Christ Jesus, and of that Eternal Kingdom, into which no Unholy thing must Enter. And now being you are called with this Holy Calling, thus to be Heirs through Faith in the Seed, in whom the Election and Heirship doth stand for ever; do you all mind the Heavenly Rule and Government of this Holy Seed in all your Hearts, that your Spirits may be kept in their Places, in Subjection and Reverence unto him, whom the Father hath Anointed, and whose Spirit the Father hath sent forth into your Hearts, to lead you into all Truth, even into him, who said, I am the Truth, in whom the Fulness Dwells; that you might be in him that is True, even in the Son, in whom the Heirship is: That so you may be Heirs, yea, joint-Heirs with him, that is True and Holy for ever.

And now my Friends, being the Lord in Mercy hath cal∣led you unto this high and honourable Calling, to be Saints and Heirs in Christ, mind your Calling, and what you are called unto; and be careful to keep in him, and walk in him, as you have received him, and to sit together in him, in Heavenly places, as the Saints of Old did: for the Heavenly

Places are in him, the safe dwelling, and he is the Way, and in him is the safe Walking; and therefore did the A∣postle exhort the Saints to Walk in him, as they had receiv∣ed him. Now my dear Friends, all learn to know what it is to walk in Christ, the Power and Righteousness of God, and then your steps will be sure; For he is the Light, and Day, where there is no occasion of stumbling. And you are to mind your Sitting together in Heavenly places in Christ, not a-sunder, not out of the Unity, but together in him, who is but one in all, and holds all in Oneness, in Life and Fel∣lowship that abide in him. For he cannot be divided, his Coat was without Seam; that was the Figure, and so is his Spirit, that is the Covering of his Body now, which he hath Purchased with his own Blood; it hath no Division or Seam in it, but is One, although it differs in Manifestation or Gifts, as to degree or operation, because of the many Offices pro∣per to the distinct Members of one and the same Body, where∣of Christ is the Head; yet the Life through the whole Body, by which every Member is supplied with ability to answer its place, is but One, and thereby is the Body kept in Uni∣ty. For the Life doth rule the Members of the true Body, and therefore that Member, that goes from under the Go∣vernment of the Life, must needs Die; Death comes over it, and the Power of Death rules it: and hence comes the Breach of Unity, and the Discord, and the Strife, and the Contention. And therefore let all your Hearts be kept in the Sense of the true Life and Power of God, and in subjection thereunto in true Love, Lowliness of Mind and Humility of Spirit; and then in this right frame of Spirit you will be ready to serve one another in Love, and not to rule over one another in Lordship; for that is not proper, no, nor it is not Natural unto the Living Members of the Living Body, unto whom Christ is the Head, and over whom he Rules. And so dear Friends, you all keeping in the Power, and that

ruling in your Hearts, that keeps tender and lowly, you will be full of an holy Care, and the living Zeal for the Lord's honour, and for the preservation of his People in Righteousness, that the Truth may be kept a top, and Righteousness Lived in by all, that do make a Profession of that honourable Name and Truth, in which we have believed, and through which we have been Saved, and Sanctified, and made holy; and then will Unity, Love and Peace spring and grow among you, and you will be a Joy and Comfort one unto another, and strengthners and helpers one of another in this great Work, and Day of God. And thus the Faithful keeping their Places, and their Care in every Meeting, and minding the Order and Government of Truth in themselves, to be kept in Humility, and the holy Tenderness in their own Hearts, there will be that Sweetness and peaceable Reverence, that will be Sa∣voury and Comely in the Eyes of all. And in, and under the Government of this peaceable Spirit you Living and Walking, you may then come to be rightly concerned to God's glory, in the Blessed Order, which the Truth hath led in∣to, and by the Power of God is now set up in the Churches of Christ, for the keeping of all out and down, that are un∣clean, unruly and unholy, and preserving of the Camp of God in that Purity, that is proper for it; that he that is holy, may delight to dwell there, and abide in the midst thereof. And dear Friends, all you that keep your habitations in the Lord's Power, neglect not your Gifts received from Christ; but be you all concerned in your places, and according to your abili∣ties for the Honour of Truth; that every thing that would bring Dishonour to that worthy name, by which ye have been called, and give Occasion of stumbling unto the weak, may be removed in the Wisdom of God, or at least by the tender power of God Judged out from among you; that the Camp may be kept clean, and Righteousness may run down, and the glory of the Lord break forth upon you, and you

therein may shine to his Praise and Glory for ever more.

Dear Friends, I also was willing to let you know, that our Meeting this year at London was very quiet, and peace∣able; and blessed Unity and comfortable Fellowship in the Power and Love of God was Witnessed among us, and we gathered up in that together, into that care and concern, which the state of the Churches of Christ in this trying day did require. For many of our Friends, in divers places of this Nation, are under great Sufferings for their Testi∣mony: But otherwise the Truth doth prevail and gain up∣on many Hearts; and through these Tryals God will Mag∣nifie his Power in the end, and Crown his People with Dominion; for through Sufferings will the Lamb and his Humble and Faithful Followers have the Victory.

We had also account from divers Countries, of the Prosperity of Truth, and the State of Friends, at the Year∣ly Meeting now lately over, as Holland, and the Country that way, and from Ireland and Scotland; and so had an account in Letters to the Yearly Meeting of the state of things, and the affairs of Truth, to our great Comfort. And therefore it is desired (that if the Lord should so or∣der, that we may Meet together, as hitherto we have done, and intend, if he permit, to do) that you in America would endeavour to send over against that time from your several Countries, an account of the Prosperity of Truth, and how it is among you as to the Affairs thereof, that at that Meeting Friends may have an account from you, as we have from other Parts. And for this end it was desired by Dear G. F. (whom many of you know, hath a general Care upon him for the good of the whole Body) that at your Half-years-Meeting in the latter part of the year, you might draw up an Epistle, which might be sent to be at

London at the Yearly Meeting every year, and so from your Half-years-Meeting in every place, there may be an account given yearly, which will be a refreshment and comfort to Friends. And therefore it is desired, that if this come in time to your Half-years-Meeting, you would be mindful of it, and answer the desire of Friends; and let Copies of this be sent to Virginia, Maryland, Pensylvania, and New-Iersey, and to Long-Island, and Road-Island, and to Sandwich, and where there may be a Service, or to Scituate, if the Half-years-Meeting be there, and to Barbadoes, or the Leeward-Islands.

So with my Love to you all, in that wherein all the Faith∣ful have Fellowship, I conclude and remain

Your Friend and Brother in the Truth, I. B.

Hartford the 19th of the 4th Month, 1682.

An Epistle to Friends of Bristol, Directed to C. J.

Dear C. J.

IN that everlasting Truth and Seed of Life, through which the God of Truth hath reached us and visited us, is the living Love and true endeared Affection of my Heart and Spirit Richly and Sweetly let forth and extended unto thee, with thy dear Wife, and your Children; as also unto the Faithful and true-Hearted to the Lord in that City, who in this Trying day are given up unto God, both to Do and Suffer for his Name's sake; My Soul, I can still say, is deep∣ly Affected with your Suffering state, and be sure you are many times livingly in my Remembrance, and that in the near Approaches of my Spirit unto the Lord: for in that, in which the access and the true drawing nigh unto him is experienced, do you live upon my Heart, and are brought very often into my view, together with your Suffering State, under which it is the Pleasure of your Heavenly Father to Try you, and to prove your Faith and Confidence, and to let you know the preciousness thereof in the time of need. And now my dearly Beloved, see all of you, that you keep in the Faith that gives the Victory, and truly saves and defends; and know that ancient saying true for ever, The very hairs of your Head are all numbered, and not one shall fall to the ground, without your Father's Providence. And therefore let

your Eyes be unto him, both for Salvation and Preserva∣tion, and know, that he both can and will deliver, when he sees good; for you know him that is the living God, that reigns, and will reign over all, and in due time make all know, that he can do, whatsoever he pleaseth in Heaven and in the Earth. And therefore mind your acquaintance with him, and your knowledg of him, in that which may be known of him in your Hearts, and your Unity with his Life in your Souls, that you may all feel the Peace thereof, and the Holy Spring therein, which Man by all his Cruelty cannot reach to put a stop unto: But when they that seek to destroy you, and to take all Comfort from you, have done all they can, this Spring being open in your Hearts, you have Comfort, Peace and Joy, that they neither know of, nor can keep from you. Oh! you dear Suffering Children and tender Babes of the Almighty, who are called unto this day and hour of Temptation or Trial, how doth my Soul Love you! how is my very Heart's Love let forth unto you at this time, as at many other times! The Lord the God of Strength be with you, and strengthen and fill your tender Souls with the Glo∣ry of his Life, and the sweetness of his Presence, that your Spirits with gladness may Praise him in the midst of all these Exercises, with which you are compassed. And now my dear Friends, you being so in my Heart, with a living Sense of your Trials that are upon you, methinks, I see the Wall with which the God of Israel doth compass you about, over which the Adversary cannot shoot an Arrow; tho his Boast∣ing may be great what he will do, as of Old it was. Oh! happy are they, that abide within the compass of it, and so retire and spread their Cause before the Lord, who is the living God. Remember the King of Old, who commanded silence, and said, Answer him not a Word, and so returned to the Temple and to the Altar of the Lord, and spread the Cause before him, and confessed the weakness of the Daughter of

Sion to bring forth; and also his Faith in the sufficiency of God's Power, when he said, Thou art able to Save, &c.

Oh! my dear Friends, Live up to the Lord in your Spirits, and be Faithful, and keep your Peace with him in the inner-Man, and mind your Unity with his Spirit, and take heed of that, which would obstruct your Fellowship with his Life; let no Fair Pretences over you Prevail, that may have any tendency to bring your Spirits into Bon∣dage, or any straitness over your Hearts; for that Bon∣dage will prove the greatest Slavery: and this I do believe you right well know.

And now my Dear Friends, all of you minding your inward Freedom, and your Spiritual Ease, in the Free∣dom and Liberty given you of God through Christ your Saviour; you will have a Dwelling and Habitation filled with Glory, Riches and Comfort, over which the Ene∣mies Cloud cannot come: and in that you will see through to the end of all, that would either Darken, or bring Distress. And so you will see, how good it is to trust in the Lord, and to rely upon his Power, and be given up freely into his Will.

And so dear Hearts, my Love is truly unto you all, and in the Love with which I have anciently Loved you, and in which I Love you as much as ever, do I very dearly Salute you all, you tender Suffering Children, and with my Soul and Spirit desire, that God in Mercy and Kindness may bless you with Spiritual Blessing in Christ Jesus, and enrich your Souls with the Divine Fatness of his House, and Pleasure of his Life, that you may have Joy every day, and delight every Morning in your Bosoms; that so your Strength may be renewed, and your Ability so encreased, that you may be able to bear, what is upon you, till the

Lord see good to Work your Deliverance, and case you of the yoak and Burthen, that you bear. Which the Lord in Mercy take off, if it be his pleasure, is the desire of

Your Friend and Brother in the Fellowship of the Sufferings and Tribulation, and also of the Consolation, which we are called unto through Christ Jesus our Lord. I. B.

The Copy of an Epistle sent to Friends at Bristol, in the time of their Sufferings. Written at Eaglesfield in Cumberland, the 1st of the 6th Month, 1682.

Cork, the 25th of the 10th Month, 1682.

Dear Friends,

IN the Everlasting Covenant of Life and Peace, and in the pure spring of Divine Love in the same, do I re∣member you, and in Spirit reach unto you, and very dearly salute you all, who in the Faith that gives the Victory, do remain and stand stedfast, and so keep your Habitations and Dwellings in the Heavenly places, in Christ Jesus your Redeemer, who hath redeemed you out of the Wickedness that is in the World, unto himself, and so into his own Power and Nature, which is righteous; that you might become the Righteousness of God in him, and so be restored into the Image, Nature and State, in which Man was Created, by him that made all things good, and Man in his own Image, that he might delight in Man, and that Man might honour and glorifie him. Now this Work of Re∣stauration, you know, God hath sent his Son to effect and accomplish in Man, and for Man, that again Man might honour his Creator, and become the delight of his Maker, whose delight is to dwell in the Habitable parts of the Earth, even among the Sons of Men. And therefore, that you may be his Delight, and that he may take Pleasure in you, do you all keep in that which hath Renewed, or doth Renew and change the Heart and Spirit of the mind, that in the Newness thereof you may serve, and honour, and glorifie him, from whom the renewing Power and Word doth come, that so the new Creation, the new Heavens and Earth may be known, wherein Righteousness doth dwell; and that you may have

your Conversation there, and so shine as Lights among this crooked and perverse Generation, in whose Heaven and Earth Unrighteousness doth dwell. And therefore will the Lord (as the Apostle said) not only shake the Earth, but the Heavens also, that that which cannot be shaken, may re∣main. And truly, I do believe, that many ones Heaven will be shaken, before this searching, winnowing, trying Day be over, that's growing on upon the Nations and Peo∣ple; for the Heavens of many are grown over, and covered with Darkness and thick Clouds, and the Glory thereof is gone, and the brightness and stedfastness thereof is lost; not a Star to be seen, except a Wanderer out of its course, out of the Covenant, that hath greatly lost its Light, and so in the Clouds of Darkness driven to and fro by the variable, uncertain Winds, that are, and may be suffered to blow, to shake that which is shakable, and remove that which will not endure, that that which cannot be shaken, may remain, and the Glory of that may appear, which will endure.

Dear Friends, God hath manifested that which is sure for ever, and will endure, and stand, and last, and you have known the power of it; and as you keep in the holy sense thereof, you will be stedfast, constant and firm in your Minds, and not soon shaken, nor removed from your Habi∣tation and stedfastness in the Gospel of Christ Jesus our Lord, which is the power of God, which is above all Powers, Thrones and Dominions, and will stand, and cannot be shaken. For its above Iohn's Ministration, the Gospel Power and Kingdom is, and he that's least there, is greater than Iohn; and is come to that which is surer than a Reed, that may be shaken with the Wind; though it be not broken, yet it may be shaken. And therefore they that would dwell there, and not come on to Christ the Rock, that cannot be shaken, their Dwelling is not safe, their Ha∣bitation will be thrown down, and their House made a

Desolation. Methinks I see it so in our Days, upon such that have sitten down short of the Eternal Substance that ended all Shadows, Iohn's, as well as those that were before him. And therefore, dearly Beloved, you that have known the Eternal Substance, the living Power of the Lord Iesus Christ manifested in your Hearts, by which you have been quickned, raised up, and made alive unto God, keep to the Power in your Souls, and mind its living in you, that you therein may live unto God, and so abide a living People through your Age, God's living Witnesses in your Day, without Alteration; and so be such as have not only been Hearers of the Word, but Doers also; and so such whose House is built upon the Rock Christ Iesus, which by the Storms and Winds cannot be thrown down. For the sure Foundation being kept unto, you will abide, and endure, and the Lord will bless you with inward Peace in your Souls, and true Pleasure in your Hearts, and you will en∣joy the true Riches and Heavenly Treasure, and learn (as you keep to the power of God in your Hearts) to lay up this true Treasure in Heaven, through the true Faith, where the Thief cannot come to steal, nor the Moth to waste or corrupt. And then your Riches and Treasure, that you trust and delight in, being thus laid up in Safety, your Hearts will be at quiet and in ease, and setled in the Kingdom, in Heaven, where the Treasure is; and then Christ's Words will be witnessed; Where the Treasure is, there will the Heart be also. Oh my dear Friends, how true are these things! Happy are they that grow up into the experience thereof, through the working, operation, and openings of the true, living, Heavenly Power in their Hearts; such their Minds are kept free from that which would entangle, and their Feet at liberty, that they may run chearfully the Race that is set before them. For the Riches, the Price that their Hearts are upon, being before them, and the Mark

also, that they look at, this draws them to look forward, and press forward; so that they are not of them that draw back to Perdition. And thus Friends, you may see, where, and in what your profitable Exercise is through your Day, and where the lasting Gain, Riches and Treasure is to be got, that will endure, and be your Portion, when the Ene∣my and all his Instruments have done what they can. And this made David say, he would not fear what Man could do unto him, for the Lord was his Shepherd, he said, and the Lord was the Portion of his Cup, and the Lot of his Inheritance, &c. And therefore keep your Hearts out of the World, and the Riches thereof, which are uncertain; and also above the delighting in the Glory thereof; and let your delight be in the Lord, and in the sweet and plea∣sant Enjoyment of his righteous, peaceable Power all the Day long, that you may still feel a Habitation therein, and a place of Safety to fly unto in every needful time. And wait you upon its holy springings in your Hearts, that your Souls thereby being united unto God, you may dwell in his Covenant, and so in Unity with him and his blessed Son, and so feel the Fellowship, which is a Mystery, held in a pure Conscience.

And dearly Beloved, live at Peace among your selves, and wait for the Spirit of Love and Concord to spring in all your Souls, that the true Mark of Christ's Disciples may appear among you. Remember what he said unto his of old, By this shall all Men know, that ye are my Disciples, if you love one another. And consider what the Apostle said, He that dwells in God, dwells in Love, &c. And therefore I intreat you, wait for the power of it in your Hearts, that you therein may serve one another, and so the whole Body may be edified, the weak strengthned, the faint-hearted en∣couraged, and the lame not turned out of the way, but all helpt forward on their way. And you all being thus in the

righteous holy Power, exercised for good, (which is that it will lead unto) you will be a Strength and Comfort, and Crown of Rejoycing one unto another, and so helpers forward of one anothers Joy in the Lord: Surely this is needful in this Day, wherein Zion hath so many Enemies; she had need to be as a City that's at Peace within her self. So the God of Peace keep you all in the Dominion of his Life, that therein you may reign over every hurtful Thing, and so dwell in the holy Mount of Safety, where the Destroyer can∣not come; and upon the holy Hill of Zion, about which he hath appointed Salvation for Walls and Bulwarks: That so you may all witness Peace to be within her Walls, and Pro∣sperity within her Palaces. And so you may every Day witness high Praises in your Hearts and Mouths unto her King, who is King of Kings, and reigns over all, who only hath Immortality, and dwells in the Light: To whom be Glory and Eternal Praises, saith my Soul, for ever and for evermore, Amen.

From your Friend, and one that truly loves you in the Truth, J. B.

Dear R. S.

UNTO thee with thy Dear Wife, C. H. R. U. and theirs, with the rest of Friends there in Prison with you, doth the living sincere Love of my Heart truly reach and livingly flow forth; for I can say of a truth, that you are often near my Soul, and livingly in my Heart, and that in my nearest approach unto the Lord, when my Life opens, and my Spirit is let forth through the Power thereof, and poured forth into his Bosom (as blessed be his Name, he gives us access by his own Spirit) even then are you many times fresh in my Heart, and Livingly before me, as if I were present in Body with you; and with great delight do I put up my Supplications upon your account, unto the Lord our God, rejoycing to feel the Lord so concerned for you, that by his own Spirit he so often stirs up a remembrance of you in my Soul, and that upon such Holy occasions. Oh! blessed be his Name, he is the Keeper of Israel, that neither Slumbers nor Sleeps, but remembers his People, and his Eye is open to see their Afflictions, and his Ear is open to hear their Complaints and tender Groanings; and no doubt, but he will arise in his own due time, to work Deliverance and Sal∣vation, and they shall glorify him. Oh! my dear Friends, how is my Soul overcome in the weighty Love of God at this time unto you all, who Suffer, or are given up to Suffer for his Name's sake, that hath Loved you and values your Testimony above all things; and so are of that number, that love not your Lives unto Death, but are given up to follow the Lamb, whithersoever he goes. Oh! my Heart is affected with you in your Testimony, and can say, as Debora of old, My Heart is towards you, who offer your selves willingly among the People, now to Suffer in the Lambs Battle (as they did to

War in the outward War) for that's the way the Lamb and his followers do overcome; he was made Perfect through Suffering: And the Promise still is, The Lamb shall have the Victory; everlasting Glory, and Honour and Praise to the Living God that sits upon the Throne, and to the Lamb who is worthy for ever more.

And therefore my dear Friends, look not out, look not back, but to the Lord your Rock and Strength look for Help and for Deliverance; for you know, that its from him that Salvation comes, and not from the Hills and Mountains; for he is the God of the whole Earth, and the Mountains shall Melt at his Presence, and before him shall the Hills Fly, yea the Sea also shall Fly, and Iordan shall be Driven back, that his Ransomed may pass on, his Redeemed People may Enter into their Rest. Oh! theresore let us Cleave unto the Lord our Saviour, and so sollow Christ our Redeemer, who can cut a passage through the great Deep; let us not be dismayed at any thing, that may rise up in our way to oppose us, so long as our Leader is with us, and our blessed Rock attends us, and we feel our dwelling within the Munition thereof; our Bread will be sure, and our Water will not fail, and our Hearts will not be barren, nor our Souls will not be faint; but we shall grow through the blessing of Israel's God, and Live, when with all their cunning the enemies of the Truth have contrived our overthrow. For there is nothing can hurt us more in the Trying Day, than want of Faith in God's Power, and Arm of strength, which never failed them that put their trust therein. And therefore my dearly Beloved, with whom my Soul is bound up in the Covenant of Life, wherein I have Unity with you, and can say, although you bear the Burden, yet my Heart is concerned for you, and also with you in your Godly concern and Testimony, for which you Suffer; and therefore cannot you be forgotten by me. For as we Love the Truth, and the Holy Testimony thereof, for which you

Suffer, and are in Bonds, in Spirit we are often as Bound with you, and fellow-feelers of your Burthens. And further∣more, we cannot propose to our selves any other, than e're long to be Sharers with you, to be Partakers of the like Sufferings, Trials and Exercises; and therefore still it is our safety to be Prepared in our Hearts, and into the Will of God to be given up to Do or Suffer for his Name's sake.

For our days do seem to be like the Days of Old, where∣in the Apostle said, they were Killed all the Day long, and ac∣counted as Sheep for the Slaughter. If we look into the Scrip∣tures, we have a Cloud of Witnesses; and so through what was Written aforetime, which was Written for our Learning, we may have Comfort, and our hope Strengthened, and so be En∣couraged to Trust in the Lord our Strength, and in whom our Hope is. And now it is still to be our care, as Lambs or Sheep, to Live in Innocency, and so as Lambs to Suffer for our Innocency, and for our Testimony, which we are called unto; and surely, I often consider, what more Innocent Practice can we ever be found in, than in our Peaceable Meetings, to Wait upon the Living God, and to Worship him in his peace∣able Spirit, by which our Hearts come to be cleansed of all Evil, and our Spirits gathered into the Peace and Love of God, in which we Love God again; and not only so, but have our hearts filled with Love and Good will towards all Men, in the Peace and Sweetness of which, we are enabled to Pray for the Good of All, even our Enemies. And if this must be misinterpreted, and our Righteous and Godly Intents counted a Transgression of the Law, and a Breach of the Peace, I do not know, what such who so do, can call Innocency: For surely, every one whose Heart is rightly Exercised in this Godly Duty, which the Living God calls us unto, must needs be Innocent before God, and in that Frame of Spirit, wherein we cannot, nay, dare not desire the Hurt of any; but as the Truth ariseth, Pray for all Men, both for Rulers and People.

Thus, I know, under the Exercise of the Righteous Power of Christ in our Meetings, are our Hearts qualified; and then if we must Suffer for Well doing, under the name of Evil-doers, we shall be happy; and may satisfy our selves, with what Christ of old said, The Servant is not greater than his Lord: For if they accounted him a Blasphemer, and said, he had a Devil, and so Persecuted him; we may well look unto him, and Comfort our selves in following such an Ex∣ample.

And therefore be ye Comforted, you Faithful Sufferers with Christ, and for him, and Comfort your Hearts in the Recompence of Reward, which is with God for you; and wait for the Spirit of God, and of Glory, that it may rest upon you. And never look out, for your Cause is Good; it is that which God hath called you unto, and you are happy in your Nobility and Valour; and whosoever shrinks from their Innocent Testimony in this matter, will suffer Loss in their Inward Condition: for if any draw back, such shall know, the Lord will not go with them, nor have any Pleasure in them, nor be their Comforter, but Re∣prover.

And therefore my Soul desires, that all may be Valiant for the Truth, and stand in the Power thereof, unto what the Lord hath called unto, that so you may be together as a City set on a Hill, that cannot be hid. For though the Foxes have Holes, and the Fowls of the Air have Nests, yet remember what Christ said to the Man, that said he would follow him.

And so the Lord give you all Valour and Strength, and Enrich you with true Patience, which the Tribulation worketh into in the right Exercise, that so you may all grow up into the true Experience, and so into the Hope, which makes not ashamed; that the Love of God may be shed abroad in your Hearts every day, by his Spirit, which he hath given

you: And then will you all feel a dwelling in his Covenant, and in his Peace.

And so in this Covenant, Peace and Love, I very dear∣ly Salute you all, and in it do I still remain,

Your Friend and Brother I. B.

Castle-Salem in the West of Ireland, the 30th of the 10th Month, 1682.

J. B's Epistle to Friends in Glocester-Prison.

Dear Friends,

UNTO you, who are Faithful Sufferers in that City, with the rest of the Faithful in that City and Country, who in your Hearts are given up to Suffer for the holy Name of the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour, who hath Cal∣led and Redeemed, Chosen, and given you Hearts not only

to believe, but also to suffer for his Name's sake, and thus hath counted you worthy as Vessels of his Choice; unto you all, I say, in the Name and Love of Christ Jesus our Lord, I send Greeting, and with-all the tender Salutation of my Soul and Spirit in that near Affection and holy Union, into which, by the power of the Holy Ghost we have been gathered and united: So that as Members of that one Body, into which we have been Baptized by that one Spirit, (wherein the true access unto God doth stand) we have our Fellowship together, and so drink together into that one Spirit, and are refreshed with the Water that flows from the living Rock, that followed Israel of Old, who is the Rock of our Age, the stay of the Generation of the Righteous in this Day, that upon which we have our sure standing, so that we cannot easily be moved. Though the Winds do blow, and the Waters swell and toss, and the unestablished be driven to and fro, and so afflicted in their Spirits, yet this Rock abides for a Habitation and Being of Safety unto all them, that keep firm thereunto, and so do abide near in their Spirit unto the holy Power thereof, they find the living Spring of that Grace from the same in their Souls, that the World cannot take away, whose Treasure the Thief cannot steal, nor the Moth waste; for its Heavenly, and kept by a Heavenly Hand. And such who mind this, will be ready to offer up their Earthly Substance, and also them∣selves into his Hand and Will, out of which no Man is able to pluck. And surely, in this Day there is no true Rest nor Satisfaction to the Souls or Spirits of Friends, but as they get hither in the Faith with their Hearts and Spirits: And when we are here spiritually, oh this holy Shield, how doth it defend! Oh the holy Rock, how do we sit under the shadow of it! Oh the holy Ioy, that the Dwellers upon this do feel in their Spirits, though the Tempest be great! Oh the God of Heaven keep us all in the holy sense of this,

that our Spirits may be born up from sinking under our Exercises in the Trial; that so we may all glorify him in our Day.

Dearly Beloved, you tender, suffering Children, whose Hearts are tender of God's Glory, and therefore are willing to give up your selves and your all for his Name's sake, that you may be of that number (who following the Lamb whithersoever he goes, and not loving your Lives unto Death) that may stand with him upon Mount Sion: My Heart and Soul is knit unto you, and you are near me, and in the unity of the antient Life, I feeling Love abundantly to flow unto you, you have had a proof of the sincerity of my Love of old unto you: And truly, you that stand in your inno∣cent Testimony, faithfully do ingage my Heart still more and more in Love unto you. Oh the tender meltings of my Spirit in the sweetness of the Love of God, in which I reach you, and rejoyce with you in your Ioy, which all the Wrath of Man cannot put a stop unto. I know, your Hearts are at ease, and your Spirits free, and the Weights and Burdens from off you who are freely given up to suffer, though in these Bonds outwardly: But there can be no such spiritual Portion received by any that shrink from their Testimony in this Day of Trial. For the Word is true for ever, They that suffer with him, shall reign with him: He the Captain was made perfect through Sufferings, he must be followed by all that come in the fulness, to pertake with him of his Glory. And such who draw back, and would find a place of Safety for themselves to escape their Sufferings for their Testimony, though they should fly to the uttermost parts of the Earth, the Lord's hand will find them out, and there will not only be a holding back of the Portion, but a spiritual Pain will overtake, where the Heart is tender; and because thereof, uneasie will every ones place be unto their Spirits.

And therefore, my dear Friends, keep in the Faith and Word that Iustifies, and then will you reign in the Seed that's heir for ever; wherein you will Overcome, and In∣herit, and be Conquerors, and so Triumph with the Lamb that must have the Victory, before whose Feet the Crowns of all the Mighty must be laid down; unto whom the Kings of the Earth, and all Flesh must bow; in him we trust, his Heavenly Kingdom we wait for, and pray for the coming of, that even such as are our Enemies, by the power thereof may be Con∣verted unto God, and so have an Inheritance with us in that Kingdom, that hath no End. That so Mankind might rest together in that Hope, that makes not ashamed; where the Love of God might be shed abroad in all Hearts by his Spirit. Thus God is filling the Hearts of his Children with good Will towards all: The Lord keep us therein for ever!

Dear Friends, by this know, that I am well, and am now come to have a share with you of the Sufferings, that attend for the Gospel's sake. I have been three Weeks a Prisoner here in the Marshalsee of Dublin. So in the true Fellowship of the Gospel am a Partaker with you both of the Sufferings and Consolation that attend us for the Testimony thereof. I remain

From the Marshals in the City of Dublin, the 25th of the 6th Month, 1683.

Your Brother, I. B.

Dublin, the 19th of the 6th Month, 1685.

Dear J. Banck,

UNTO thee with thy fellow-Prisoners, who suffer for the blessed Testimony of that precious Truth, in which we have believed, doth the real and tender Affecti∣on, and Love of my Heart and Soul flow forth at this time; and in the sweetness and peaceableness of that which is our Life, do I dearly salute you, and in the unity thereof tenderly greet you all, whose Hearts are kept up in that, and under the holy conduct of it, for which you suffer: In this have we our unity, which in it self lives and reigns over all, and shall reign in its own pure Dominion and Dignity, even the Power of our Lord Iesus Christ, to whom Prin∣cipalities and Thrones, and Dominions must be subject. It is for the Testimony of him, you know, that you suffer, to wit, the Testimony of Iesus, which you have received from him by his Spirit, and thereby have it sealed in your Hearts. Though many do not understand the weight and certainty of your Testimony, for which you suffer, and therefore may look lightly upon it; yet you, who are enjoyers of the Power, and so have received the Spirit of Iesus, which is the Spirit of Prophesy, and so his Testimony therein you feel the Weight of it, and know the Certainty of the Testimony for which you suffer; and so in your Sufferings have your Peace and Iustification. And therefore, my dearly Beloved in the Lord, see that you all hold that fast in all your Hearts in the inward, rich Possession of it, for which you suffer, that you may feel your Reward with you, and your Comforter in

you to bear up your Spirits over all your Sufferings; and so you will have a Satisfaction in your selves; that whatever others say, or may think of your Sufferings, and the reason thereof, you know within your selves, that it is for the Truth, and its Testimony, that you suffer, and for the keeping of your Consciences clear in the sight of God. And so in the hidden Man of the Heart, you rest in quietness, in that hidden Life which you receive from Christ; and here is your Peace and Comfort, which no Man can take from you; no, nor Man knows of it, but such as are in Fellowship with you, who live in, and love the same Testimony. And therefore those, that know not your Reward, your Crown, nor your Peace, cannot reach to take it a way; and that is our Joy, that we have a Crown and Inheritance, that is out of their sight, and so out of their reach.

Oh therefore let all take heed, that through carelesness or looseness of Spirit, or any other thing you be not beguiled or betrayed from that, to the losing of it, while you are suffer∣ing for it! You know, my Friends, it is possible; such things have been even in our Age, that while some have been suffer∣ing for the Truth, they have been betrayed from the Truth, and the Innocency and Simplicity of it in their Hearts; and so have lost the Truth, even that for which they were called to suffer. For you know, it is an inward thing, and must be held in the inward unity of the Mind in a spiritual Fellowship; and if there be not a care, even while we are in one thing doing for the Truth in the outward, in the inward we may lose it, and our Justification by it; and then whither shall we go for our Peace and Recompence? The God of my Life give you all Wisdom and Fear, and fill you with holy Reverence, that you may still stand in awe before him, and be watchful over your spiritual Path, and the Feet of your Souls and Minds, that you may invisibly tread in the invisible way of Peace and Righteousness.

And Dear Friends, live in Peace and Love together amongst your selves, and in a holy, solid Life before all Men, keeping out of the Spirit of the World in all things; that as it is upon a Religious Account that you suffer, you may appear in all other things to be Religious Men, or otherwise you know, the Truth cannot be honoured by your suffering. For if Men, that suffer for or upon the account of Religion, appear not to be Religious Men, this overthrows the Glory and Beauty of their Religion, and brings it into Dis-esteem amongst Men: And therefore did Christ command, that our Light should shine before Men, by their seeing of our good Works, &c. And Dear Friends, have a care of provoking one another unto any thing that is Evil; but endeavour to stir up and provoke one another unto Love and good Works; that you may build up one another therein, and so help to bear one anothers Burthen, and fulfill the Law of Christ, that you may all be kept up together in the Iustification and Peace. And so Dear Friends, my Heart's Love being unto you, I send these few lines as a Testimony thereof, by which you may know, you are in my remembrance in the Love of God, and my Heart hath an honourable Esteem of your Testimony, and your Sufferings in Righteousness for the same. I desire to be remembred to Friends in the Country, both below Carlisle, and above, and Friends in the City; to Io. Carlisle and Family, with the rest: My Wife's dear Love is to you all: My Love is with you. Farewell!

From your Friend, I. B.

Dublin the 12th of the 8th Month, 1685.

Dear Friends,

IN the universal Spirit of Life and Truth, and of Righte∣ousness and Peace doth the tender Affection and pure Love of my Heart flow forth and reach unto you all, who are true Lovers of the Power and the Holiness of the same, wherein alone it is, that we bear the Image of him whose Name is Holiness, and his Nature and Being is Purity; so that in that only we do draw and may draw near unto him, and have Fellowship with him, and enjoy his Presence, who is our God, our Life and Salvation. And therefore in the Unity of that, whereby we have been quickened, and through which we Live unto him that hath quickned us, do I exhort and beseech you all, to mind with Reverence his secret and sweet Visitations by his Holy Power upon your Spirits in your Hearts; that you feel that to appear there, and so through the brightness of its appearing to destroy him, whose coming is after the Working of Satan with all Power, &c. and with all Deceivableness of Unrighteousness in them that Perish: And not only to appear and destroy him and his Works, but also to abide with you, and dwell in you, and so make you his dwelling-place. And then you being Watchful, shall not Watch in vain, because the Lord then will be your keeper; and then, as one said of old, He keeping the City, the Watch-man watcheth not in vain. Thus you may see it ful∣filled in your own Hearts unto your own Souls, and so have Comfort and Confidence with Holy David, and with him Live above the fear of Evil (though you might walk through

the Shadow of Death, as he said) because of the Lord's be∣ing with you. And therefore, Friends, see that you all be mindful of him in his Appearing by his Power and Spirit of Grace in your Hearts, and let him have Room there, and not to be straitned, or thronged up or oppressed, for he delights to dwell alone there, and have the whole Heart to himself, and at his own disposing, that he may Fill it with that which he takes Pleasure in, and in which he only may be Glorified and Honoured. And therefore doth he require the Heart, saying. My Son, give me thy Heart: And Christ Commands, That we should Love him with all our Hearts, &c. So as I said, let him have room in your Hearts, and take heed, that with this World, the Spirit of it, Nature of it, and Love to the things therein, your Hearts be not filled, and so taken up, that there be not room for him, whose coming is with such Glory and Ful∣ness, that he fitls all that are rightly poor and empty, with that Fulness, Richness and Glory, that there can be no want to them, that have him for their Portion and Inheritance; and so keep single in their Hearts before him. But where the Heart is filled with Delight in, or desire after other things out of the Covenant of God (which is out of his Favour) there the Lord will not have delight to Dwell, there is not room; nay, he will not have delight to appear there, because it will be his Grief and an Oppression unto him. Was it not so of old, when he took up his Complaint against both Iudah and Israel? As you may see, Amos 2. how the Lord pleads with them, and threatens them, what he would bring upon them for their Sins, that he reckons up against them; and withall to aggra∣vate their Crimes (as he might justly do) he also reckons up, and tells them, what he had done for them, how he had de∣stroyed the Amorites for their sakes, brought them out of the Land of Egypt, led them in the Wilderness, given them the Land of the Amorites to Possess, raised of their Sons to be Prophets, and their young Men to be Nazarites: But, saith he unto them, Ye gave my Nazarites Wine to Drink, and com∣manded

my Prophets, saying, Prophesy not; behold, I am pressed under you, as a Cart is pressed that is full of Sheaves, saith he. Hence it may be understood, that when he hath been at work, and hath done good by his glorious Power, who worketh wonderfully for them (and now in them also) that believe in his Power; if there be a going from him, and a letting in of other things into the Heart, where he should Rule and have his Dwelling in Man, and so with Man, it becomes a Grief and an Oppression unto him, and so a Provocation, that he will not always bear it, nor spare Man, though he is long∣suffering, as may be seen very fully in that Prophesy of Amos, and more at large through the Scripture, which was written for our Learning, that we might be warned, and thereby be stirred up unto that diligence, care and watchful∣ness, which may tend to our preservation.

And now considering these things that were of old, and observing, how that in our Age the Lord hath made known his wonted goodness unto us, even that which doth far exceed the outward Priviledges of outward Israel; for that which he blesseth us withall, is a Possession and Enjoyment of a degree of his own Life, who is the Creator, by which he Created all things, which is more than the Enjoyment of the Creature; the Loss of which was the great penalty laid upon Adam, if he broke the Command; which he having lost, is again restored unto us through Christ Iesus, the Second Adam, the Lord from Heaven, which we having received, do thereby live unto God, and therein serve him.

And so Dear Friends, the thing that is chiefly in my mind unto you in the reach of the Heavenly Bowels, is, To intreat and be∣seech you all, To be tender in your Hearts, and careful over your Spirits, that you may not let in, nor join with any thing, that will bring Grief or Oppression upon your Life, or lead you into the Transgression of the Law thereof. Mind the Exhortation of the Apostle, Grieve not the Spirit, by which you are Sealed, &c.

And so as you are careful, watchful and wise to take heed un∣to the Holy Conduct and Blessed Leadings and Direction of this Spirit and the Law thereof, your Souls will dwell in Peace, and your Feet will tread in a safe Path, even the Path of Peace, and your Steps will not Slide; but you will witness what David said of old, to be true, The Righteous shall inherit the Land, and dwell therein forever; for saith he, The mouth of the Righteous speaketh Wisdom, and his Tongue talks of Iudg∣ment. The Law of his God is in his Heart, none of his steps shall slide. So here you see, what it is that keeps from Sliding, the Law of God, which is in the Heart; this preserved David, for it was as a Lanthorn to his Feet, and a Light unto his Paths.

Oh! my Dear Friends, you may be happy; yea, we may all be happy, if we be as careful as we ought, to walk by this Rule. Oh! the Sweetness, Peace and Glory, that he fills the Hearts of all his People with, that take heed unto his Law: the Spirit is not grieved, the Life of the Soul is not Oppres∣sed, the Soul, Life or Spirit of Man is at ease, and so in the glorious Liberty of the Sons of God, and so in that state, where it can Sing unto the Lord, and Praise him. And there∣fore all of you mind your Dwelling, and inward Liberty, and Spiritual Freedom from all the Corruptions of the World, and of the Flesh, both inwardly in your selves, and all Temptations from without, that you may reign in the Dominion of the Seed Christ Iesus for ever, and so with him be Co-heirs of that Heavenly Inheritance and Possession, which he hath Pur∣chased for you.

And so in the Unity of that Life, which reigns over all, do I very dearly Salute you all, who Love the Truth; and in that do I desire, that the God of Life may bear up your Spirits by his Power, over and a top of all that would Defile or Oppress; that you may be preserved to remain the Sons and Daughters of God without Rebuke in and among this

Crooked and Perverse Generation, amongst whom do you Shine as Lights, to the Glory of him who hath called you out of Darkness into his Marvellous Light; who over all is wor∣thy of Glory and Honour and Dominion, World without End. From

Your Friend and Brother in the Truth, I. B.

Dublin, the 23d of the 11th Month, 1685.

Dear R. R.

IN the Love and Unity of the Blessed Truth, which lives and abides for Ever, do I very dearly Salute thee and thy Wife; and therein is my Heart's desire for you unto the Lord, that by his blessed Hand and Power, you may be born up and supported under all Exercises, that may attend, and in your minds Preserved with an invisible Eye unto the Lord, taking notice of his Orderings, as it is his Hand, that brings to pass what he sees Good; and then in his Fear and Love there will be a Reverent Submitting unto his Will without

Murmuring or Repining at what the Lord doth. Though Nature in the True and Natural Affection (which good Men and Women cannot be without) may be broken and greatly bowed down; yet as long as the mind is preserved from Mur∣muring at what the Lord doth, it will be well, there will be a Heart Capable of giving him his due, as it was with Iob.

Dear R. I must needs say, my Heart is concerned for you, both upon thy own Account, having heard of thy great Weakness there, and Affliction thou hast been under, and also because of the Loss of thy Dear and Tender Daughter, who in your Absence is taken away both from you and us. But what shall I say? It is so, and the Lord hath done it; and it is not safe to Dispute the Case with him, or say, Why hath he done so? But tenderly submit unto his Will, and bless him that gives and takes away, as he sees good. However, this I think I may say to thee and thy Wife with safety, you need not sorrow, as such who have no Hope, because of the ground God hath given for a sure Hope of her Eternal Well-being, which is the Mark we are all Pressing towards; and they are happy that do obtain it. For I was with her that same day that she Dyed in the Afternoon, and had a serious, weighty season with her. She sent for me, and told me, as soon as I came to her, That now she was satisfied she must Die; and her Heart was wholly set after her Assurance of Peace with the Lord; and her desires to us, to wit, her Husband and me, was, That the Doctor might not trouble her or meddle with her, for she was not willing to be molested or hindred from a quiet Depar∣ture. For her Heart was set after a peaceable Departure out of this World; as was evident from her words several times. And she was very sensible, and did speak to me with a good understanding; and seemed to be concerned for many (as she said) that came to Meetings in Dublin, who did not mind their Conditions, or the stay of their minds, which she

feared, would scarcely be Saved. My Heart, I must needs say, was greatly affected with her Exercise and Concern, and was Comforted in the Sense of that living Presence, that was with us at that Season. And when we had spent some time together, and were Refreshed, and I to go away, she did most solemnly take her Leave of me in great Affection, and signified, how kind she took my Visit; withall seriously say∣ing, Farewel dear John, If I never see thee more: And so I came away. In a few Hours after she was struck with Death.

In the Evening my Wife and I went again to see her, then we found her very Ill, but lay quiet, under the Extremity of her Pain. We, with several other Friends sate by and waited on her, until she Departed, which was about the 11th Hour at Night. She went away in quietness, as I found be∣fore was her Desire. And we sitting and standing quietly by her, our Hearts were broken; and I felt a Glorious Melt∣ing Power, which tendred my Spirit, and a Brightness and Light that did shine; and it was sweetly in my Heart, when she was Departed, She is not gone into Darkness, but is in the Light. The sense whereof was great Satisfaction to me, because I know the Glory is there, in the Light for ever. And now poor Lamb, it is her Gain, though your and our Loss. For considering her years, she was a Modest and Good Example; and as she said to me at that Season, She was never inclined to Vanity. And I perceived, her care was sometimes greatly for you, fearing your Exercise would be Great. Well, I must needs consider, that the Loss of such a Dear Child can∣not but come very near Tender Parents; yet you may be comforted in a satisfaction of her Well-being, and so rest; and even say with David, We may go to her, but she cannot come to us. And so Comfort your Hearts in the Lord, and so rest in his Will.

And Dear R. this may find thee something better in Health, than we have of late heard; however, I am sure my Heart

truly desires, that it may be so: And if the Lord give strength, I should be glad to see thee here. For methinks, all this while thou hast been absent, thy place seems to be empty; I cannot look upon it, that thou shouldst be from amongst us. But if the Lord give strength, thou shouldst be here, bear∣ing and having thy share with us: For I look upon thee as one of us, and so methinks would not have thee delay, as the way opens. My Wife's very dear Love is to thee and thy Wife; and our Love is dearly to Ellin Callow, and Friends there. For further account of things, I may leave to other hands: We are all quiet and peaceable here. So with my true and endeared Love unto thee, I conclude and remain

Thy Friend J. B.

The above is a Copy of a Letter Writ by John Bur∣nyeat to Roger Roberts concerning the Death of his Daughter Ann, late wife to Amos Srettel, who Departed this Life the 8th of the 11th Month, 1685, about the 11th Hour at Night.

For the Priests in CARLISLE, and their Followers.

YE which stand up to teach the People, behold your Flock which ye teach, and see what is brought forth among them, such Fruits, as were never brought forth among them that were taught of God, nor by any that he sent. But the small Effect your Teaching doth bring forth for God, doth evidence to your faces, that ye are not sent by him, but run, and the Lord doth not send you, therefore doth the Peo∣ple profit nothing by you, but the Fruits of Unrighteousness do still remain among them, and they are not turned to God, and out of their Sins by all your Teaching. For Persecution is found in some, and Pride, and Drunkenness, and Mocking, and Scorning, and Reproaching of them that fear God, doth appear among them that follow you. Oh consider of it, you that take in Hand to Teach these People, did ever any of the Ministers of Christ own such for Christians? Consider of it, was Persecution found among the Saints? Or did they Im∣prison any? Shew one Example in the Scriptures for it, if there be any. Or did the Apostles own them for Christians: that did persecute? Consider of these things, Were not they Enemies to the Truth, that did persecute and imprison? And was it not the Saints, that the Persecution rose against? And did not the Apostles suffer Persecution? And were not they Enemies to Christ that persecuted them? And are not they Ene∣mies to Christ that persecute now? Oh! that you would but consider of it, and see what Generation ye are of, and what Fruits ye bear! and whether ye and your Followers bear the Fruits of the Ministers of Christ and the Saints, or ye bear

the Fruits of the false Prophets, and of the rude Multitude and persecuting Generation, that persecuted the Righteous: For from the beginning the Righteous were persecuted even from Abel; but we never read, that the Righteous did persecute any, but were always Sufferers. So it is evident, that they that persecute and imprison, are shut out of the Life of them that gave forth the Scripture, and are found in their steps, which were Enemies to the Truth, and did persecute them that lived in the Life of it. And so ye, that take in hand to Teach the People of this Town, look upon your Flock, and see, what Fruits are brought forth by some of them. Yet for all this your Teaching of them, you have not brought them to so much Moderation and Love, as was in Felix, who commanded a Centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have Liber∣ty, and that he should forbid none of his Acquaintance to Mini∣ster or to come to him. But we find not so much Moderation nor Love among you, who say, ye are Christians; for we are kept in Prison, and our Friends are hindered to come to us. Oh be ashamed of your Flock, ye Teachers, that for all your teaching, ye have not brought them so far into Moderation and Love, as they were, who persecuted the Apostles and Saints; and so they must needs be far short of being true Christians. But you are bad Examples to them herein; for many of you, who are Teachers, do cause the Innocent to be cast into Prison, and persecuted; and so do manifest your selves by your Fruits, not to be in the same Life, the Apo∣stles were in, who always suffered, and never did persecute any. So consider well, ye Teachers, of this, that your Flock is not a Flock of Sheep and Lambs, but rather the Nature of Wolves doth appear among them, whose Mouths are open against the innocent, who live in the Nature of the Lamb. Are ye not therefore of those, who run, and the Lord never sent you? Who do not profit the People at all, who from time to time stand up to teach them, and yet they

remain in their old Nature, not changed from their former Conversation. Oh cease! Seeing no Fruit is brought forth to God by all your labour. Is it not for the love of Mony that you Teach? And do ye not seek after the Fleece more than the Flock? And do ye not go from one place to another for Rewards? Let that of God in your Consciences answer. Is not this it, which blinds your Eyes, that ye do not see what Generation ye are of, when you read the Scripture? Which testifies, who they were that persecuted, and who they were that suffered Persecution then, in the Apostles days. Search the Scriptures, and see whether the Persecutors, or they that were persecuted, were the Saints of God in those Days? And whether the way be not the same now in these our Days, yea or nay?

From a Lover of your Souls, who is a Sufferer in outward Bonds in the Common Goal in Carlisle, for the Truth's sake, J. B.